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Digitized by the Internet Archive 
in 2011 with funding from 
The Library of Congress 



http://www.archive.org/details/sevenyearsfosailOOclar 




''iplllllfli 



,«• 



SEVEN YEARS 



OP 



A SAILOR'S LIFE 



BY 

GEORGE EDWARD CLARK. 

"Yankee Ned," of Lynn, Mass. 



WITH NINE ELEGANT ILLUSTRATIONS, 

ENGRAVED FROM THE AUTHOR'S SKETCHES. 






BOSTON: 
ADAMS & COMPANY, 

25 Bromfield Street. 



Gp 



Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1367, 

By ADAMS & COMPANY, 

In the Clerk's Office of the District Court for the District of Massachusetts. 



aopi- , ' 









Stereotyped by W. F. Brown & Co. 
Engravings by John Andrew. 



£?/ 



CONTENTS 



Chapter I. 11-18 

My Birth — Early Longings for the Sea — Warnings Unheeded — 
Boats and Books — Leaving School — My First Voyage — On 
Board — The Cook Reckons — Ship Work — The Coast of the 
Eastern States — Classes of Men and Occupations — Fishing and 
Coasting — The Sailors' Mission — "Nothing to Laugh at" — 
Death of the Steward — Home Again — Sea Togs Laid Aside. 

Chapter II 19-27 

At a Trade — "He will never make a Printer" — Discontent on 
Shore — Another Voyage in View — My Joy at its Height — 
Shipped Again — The " Guide " and her Crew — Don't be so fast, 
Ned — The Landlord's Attentions — Getting under Way — Off 
for Zanzibar — Farewell, Yankee-Land — In the Gulf — Sea Sick, 
but not sick of the Sea — A Squall — Land, Ho — The Gatama- 
ran — Crossing the Line — Rough Usage — Baptized in a Tub 
and made a Son of Neptune — I can't see it — The "Line " seen 
through a Spy Glass — The "Great Republic" right ahead, Sir — 
Off the Cape — The Albatross and Cold Weather— The Cape 
safely doubled. 

Chapter III. 28-3T 

Mozambique Channel — Hove to — The Signal — The Pilot on 
Board — A Joke that was not a Joke — Unloading — A Yankee 
Among the Sharks — A Mutiny Planned — "Forewarned is 
Forearmed — Watching for the First Move — The Attempt at 
Midnight — The Struggle — The Arrest — All Right Again — A 
Jaunt on Shore — The Jetty — Mozambique and its People — Co- 
coa Nut and Palm Trees — Ready for a Start. 



Contents. 
Chapter IY. . . 38-46 

Ho for Zanzibar — Charming Weather and Scenery — Pilot Fish 
and Johnny Shark — The Island in View — " Under the Sand " — 
Harbor Scenes — A Pull for the Shore — Dress and Manners — 
A Fearful Weapon — " Old Sides " and his Pet Boys — A Visit to 
the Shell Shops — Oddities and Curious Sights — Buying Monkeys 

— Slave Market at Zanzibar — Ten Dollars a Head — A Man with 
Fifty Wives — Rough Sport — Sails set for Aden — Passengers 
Received — Underway. 

Chapter Y 47-61 

A Lively Time — Arab Dirks and Yankee Shooters— "Too Much 
Rumpee " — "All Right, Old Kick-Shins " — Prophetic Dreams 

— On like a Racer — More Swift than Sure — She Strikes the 
Shore — High and Dry — The Beginning of our Sufferings — 
Resignation of Madame Mass — Discovered by the Natives — 
Five Hundred on Board, fully Armed — Submission our only 
Safety — A Sudden Reprieve — We are ordered to the Village — 
Horrible Agony — New York Papers Devoured — Perishing with 
Hunger and Thirst — Desperation of some of the Party — Reason 
Gone — Left Behind — The Dawn of Hope. 

Chapter YI 62-72 

Plenty of Gold but no Food — A Parting — The Last Good Bye — 
Our Strength Leaving Us — All Grows Dark and I become Uncon- 
scious — Aid from the Natives — " Agoa, Agoa" — At the Wreck 
Again — Arrival of Those we Left Behind — Faithfulness of the 

Chapter YII 73-83 

The Chief's Watchfulness — The Cook's Queer Barriers of Fat — 
Do They Mean to Starve Us — Slavery or Death — Which shall 
it Be — Our Fate Decided by a Goat — Our Ransom Price Fixed 

— Our Treatment Changed for the Better — The March Com- 
menced — " Old Abdallah " — Mahommedan Prayers — Camel 
Train Met— Green Grass Once More — Arrival at the Well — A 
Feast of Welcome — Preparations to Resume Our March — The 
African Girls Anxious to Rub Noses at Parting — We decline the 
Honor — Five Days of Marching — Our Destination in View. 



Contents, 

Slave Girl — Dr. Ray makes Up his Mind — Queer Antics of the 
Natives — Food and Water Found — Councils on Shore — Shall 
we be Killed or Ransomed — Buttered Gold — Dexterity of the 
Negro Women — ; Our Fate in Suspense. 

Chapter VIII 84-90 

Reception at the Natives' Town — Our Prison — The Savages mis- 
take Epsom Salts for Sugar — Walking Skeletons — Our Partial 
Blindness — The Seide Boys — The Fishermen's Village — Jus- 
tice as Administered by Barbarians — The African at Home — 
Our Pitiable Condition — A Proposition Accepted — Yankee In- 
genuity Tested — A Midnight Banquet — Ready for Departure — 
A Strong Guard over us — Off 

Chapter IX . 91-98 

Our Boat and Companions — One of the Natives Overboard — The 
" Stars and Stripes " in Sight — Delusive Hopes — On the Red 
Sea — Arabia near at Hand — Mocolo — In the Harbor — Old Ali 
caught in his own Trap — He gets the Worst of the Bargain and 
Hurries off to save his Life — Kindness of the Sultan — All our 
Wants Supplied — We begin to Feel like Men — Sights and 
Sounds at Mocolo. 

Chapter X . 99-105 

Dates Brought us — Bible Scenes — Howlers, Contortioners, ancU 
Lepers — Veiled Women — Arabian Beauty — Camel Trains — ' 
Mocolo and the People Described — A Mysterious Building — 
The Bazaars and their Trade — The Call from the Minaret — An 
Agreeable Surprise — Opening of the Tombs — A Day of Festivity 

— Gay Scenes — The Bedouins dash into Town — Splendid 
Horsemanship — The Holiday Over — Glad Tidings — Good 
Prospects. 

Chapter XI 106-113 

Thoughts on Leaving Mocolo — The Boat and Escort — Loaded up 

— Farewell to our Dusky Friends — A Good Bill of Fare — Aden 
in Sight — Our Raptures on Seeing an American Ship — All Hai!, 
Stars and Stripes — Passing up the Harbor — Joyful Meeting of 



Contents. 

Madam Mass with her Husband and Friends — Ashore — Speech 
of the Captain of the Guide — The Sailor's Boarding-House at 
Aden — The Hindoo Landlord — Rough Scenes and Tough 
Scenes. 

Chapter XII 114-123 

Respectable Again — A Tropical Rain — All Afloat — Stampede of 
the Boarders — Houses in Ruins — A Welcome Letter from 
Home — Parting with our Captain and Companions in Captivity 

— What is to be Seen at Aden — An Enraged Native — Donkey 
Tricks on Sailors — A Curiously Tattooed Arab Girl — Passports 
Obtained — We Ship for Bombay — A Good Berth — Preparing 
to Leave Port — Ostrich Feather Merchants — One Trick of 
Many. 

Chapter XIII 124-131 

Clearing the Hawser — A Day's Liberty, and what Came of It — The 
"Charger" Underway — Life on Board a "Juicer" — Lively Ra- 
tions — Sick Men attended by Rats — The Dogs Put on Duty — 
I become a Fancy Painter — A Rough and Tumble Encounter — 
Narrow Escape from Another Wreck — Among the Water Snakes 

— Nearing Bombay — End of Sixty'Day's Tacking. 

Chapter XIY 132-142 

At Bombay — Visit to the Consul — Kind Reception — A "Bully" 
Captain after some Men — A General Dislike — I Run the Risk 
and Ship for Home— A Strange Crew — The "Boy Bill" — 
Rough Sport — The Cargo and Manner of Loading — "Yankee 
Ned " in the Tank — Bum-Boats and their Stock in Trade — One 
Day Ashore — Palanquins — Banyan Trees — Myriads of Doves 

— Ready for Sea — The Pilot Aboard — A trial of Speed — Our 
Yankee Clipper Wins. 

Chapter XT 143-152 

Homeward Bound — Good Living — Mysterious disappearance of 
Poultry — Something Like a Race — A Terrific Squall — Doub- 
ling the Cape of Good Hope — In the "Trades" — All Hands 
Busy — Antics of the Live Stock — Laughable Adventures of a 



Contents. 

Pig — Catching Porpoises — A Battle with a Shark — Death of 
the Cook — An Inhuman Burial — In a Calm — Any work Rather 
than no Work — Squally Weather Returned — A Roll in the 
Scuppers — Off Bermuda. 

Chapter XVI 153-168 

Approaching Cape Hatteras — " Steer Small, my Hearties " — Sai- 
lor's Rights and Sailor's Wrongs — Spearing Rats — A Howling 
Gale — Fierce Combat with the Storm — Good bye, Hatteras — 
Beating up the Coast — New York Pilots — Tug Boats at Hand 

— Familiar Scenes — We are visited by Runners and False Friends 

— Jack Tar and the Land Sharks — In New York Harbor — "Let 
go the Anchor" — A Narrow Escape — My Native Land Once 
More — By Rail to Boston — The Long Voyage Over — Home 
Again. 

Chapter XYII. 169-178 

War is Declared — I Join the Navy — Scenes on Board the " Guardo" 

— Hard Characters — The " Gemsbok " and her Crew — Taking 
in Powder — The " Congress " — Outward Bound — Holy-Stones 
and " Prayer Books " — Fortress Monroe — The Rip-Raps — 
Scenes in the Bay — Prizes — Sailor's Duty — The Mail Bag — 
Hurrying up the Letters — Our Mess Cook — What's Up Now? 

— Departure from Hampton Roads. 

Chapter XYIII. 179-189 

A Fine Run — Capture of a Prize — Water Spouts — In a Gale — 
Washing Up — The Chase — Another Blockade Runner Taken 

— A Yankee Trick — Rebel Pilots a Little out of their Latitude — 
Wilmington Surprised — Arrival of the "Young Rover" — We 
Overhaul a Suspicious Craft — The "Blue Pigeon" Kept on the 
Wing — A Boat Load of Contrabands Appear and Disappear — 
Capture of the "Beverly" — I am Off with the Prize— The 
" Young Rover " mistakes us for a Runner and Captures Us. 

Chapter XIX. . ." 190-202 

A Dismal Storm — At Fortress Monroe — Off with the Prize to 
Baltimore — A Growling Pilot — Contrasted Scenes — Jack Tar 



Contents. 

and his Prize Money — Transferred — The Louisiana — Hawking 
Chestnuts — On Board the Minnesota — Good Order — Neat and 
Trim — Companion in my African Captivity on Board — A Happy 
Meeting — Fate of my Old Friend — The Gemsbok — Bad'Reports 

— Exit of Incompetent Officers. 

Chapter XX 203-209 

Off before a Nor' wester — A Gale — Suspicious Steamers — "A 
Full-Rigged Brig " in View — Every Sail in Service — We Rapidly 
Approach our Game and find that we have been Chasing a Light- 
house — Auction Sale of a Letter — Beaufort — Cruising — A 
Practical Joke — " To Grease we Give our Shining Blades " — 
Foraging for Fresh Beef — A Skirmish with the Rebels. 

Chapter XXI 210-216 

Burning of the " York " of Dublin — Fishing — Stewed Gulls for the 
Officers — Picket Boats — Pitch and Toss — Worrying the Rebs 

— The "Jeff Davis" — Our Contrabands — Single Stick Exercise 

— Plenty to Do — Man-of-War Sports — Singing, Dancing and 
Spinning Yarns — Mcintosh promises a Yarn, but Dies before he 
can Commence — The Men Awed by the Sudden Death — A 
Burial at Sea. 

Chapter XXII 217-227 

My Narrow Escape — Rough Weather — Up Anchors and Off — 
Hampton Roads Again — The Burnside Fleet — The Old " Brandy- 
wine " — Motley Array of Shipping -— Liberty Men lying around 
Loose — A Gala Day — Great Display of Bunting — A Perilous 
Task — Strategic Feat of the " Nashville " — An Old Sailor Tells 
How it was Done — The " Nashville " Tries it Again — Off She 
Goes — An Excited Captain. 

Chapter XXIII 228-237 

Hotel Burning — Our Grasp Tightens — The Rebels Busy — Sailors 
Camping out — Attack on Fort Macon — The Army Steadily Ad- 
vancing — The " Daylight " — A Rather Ticklish Position — 
Dodging the Balls — The Battle and the Storm — Sharp Practice 

— The Contest Close, Hot, and Heavy — Victory — Capture of 



Contents. 

Beaufort— A Jolly Time — A Visit to the Fort — Talk with a 
Secesh Soldier — Luxuries — Manning the Prize Ships — Off for 
Ealtimore. 

Chapter XXIV . 240-248 

Cruising for a Prize — The Night Chase — A Fast Sailor tries our 
Speed — Our Captain at the Guns — Capture of the "Ariel" — 
A Race with a Steamer — We are ordered to Baltimore — In Dock 
for Repairs — The "Alleghany" — Nine Day's Liberty — A 
General Scattering — High Life and Low Life — " Going it Blind " 
— A Free Fight on Board the Guardo — Return to the " Gems- 
bok " — Off she Goes. 

Chapter XXY. 249-257 

A Recruiting Expedition — Arrival at Provincetown — The " Gems- 
bok" an attractive Visitor — Cape Men not Easily Caught — 
Whalers and their Boats — Adventure with a Horse-Mackerel — 
The Dutchman and the Skate-Fish — Pride Humbled — Off for 
Portland — A Gay Time on Board — Battle Lanterns and Flags ; 
Music and Dancing — A Little too Much for the Musicians — 
Return to Provincetown — " Good Bye, Miss Gemsbok " — Once 
more at Home. 

Chapter XXYI. , 258-266 

Looking for Another Ship — Off for Newbern — Questionable Pat- 
riotism — A Race at Sea — Driven by a Snow Storm — Intense 
Cold — Delaware Bay — On Shore — A Yankee Woman shows 
her Colors — In Philadelphia — Getting Along on Short Allow- 
ance — A old Shipmate Met and Provided for — A Bold Leap — 
Home." 

Chapter XXYII 26T-27T 

Merry Times at Home — I am Bound to Go-a- Fishing — The 
" We 're Here " — Cape Cod Again — A Narrow Escape — Using 
Up the Salt — Waking the Skipper — Fisherman's Life — The 
"Texas" — In a Fog — Is that a Privateer? — Home Life on 
the Cape — The Cod Fisheries — How They are Conducted — > 
The Profits — Superiority of American Fishing Craft — The 
" Marietta " — Quick Work. 



Contents, 
Chapter XXYIII 278-290 

There He Winds Her — Our New Cook and His Reception — The 
Girls of Castine — A " Post " that Spoke — Off for the Banks — 
Good Fishing — Something of an Iceberg — A Yankee School- 
master Shoots a Whale — The Dory Fleets — Eight Hundred 
Boats at Work — Lively Times on the Banks — After a Shark — 
Loss of the " Widow Wadman " — Perils of the Fishermen — 
Pulling for Life in a Dory — Saved at the Last Moment — Loaded 
with Fish and Homeward Bound. 

Chapter XXIX 291-298 

The " Comet " and my Prospects. — The St. Croix River — A High 
Tide — Lumber Trade — Pleasant Hours — Eastport — A Christ- 
mas Pudding — Necessity, the Mother of Invention, called to our 
Aid — A Large Fleet — A Winter Storm — Fast before the Gale 
we Reach Holmes' Hole — Off for New Haven — Our Cargo 
Discharged — Boston and Home. 

Chapter XXX. 299-310 

A Sea-sick Company on Board of the " George Shattuck " — Laugh- 
able Scenes — The Sailor's Boarding House — " Splitting up a 
Dictionary " — Off for the Banks, on the " Nason " — An Ocean 
Race of a Thousand Miles — Icebergs — Their Noonday Beauty 
— Saved by a Sharp Lookout — John's Thrilling Experience with 
a Phantom Brig and a Spirit Sailor — Where Good Fishing is to 
be Found — Overboard Again — Eleven Hundred Quintals Down. 

Chapter XXXI 311-319 

Working and Winning — The " Nason" Flying Home — Skippers 
on their Reckoning — The Cape in View — In Port — The Men 
Paid Off — Money as Free as Air — A Sad Warning to Rum 
Drinkers — Home from Sea — I Ship for a Southern Trip — 
Loosing the Frozen Canvas — A Tough Gale — Our Sails Blown 
to Ribbons — Intense Cold Weather — Twelve Days of Suffering 
and Danger — We Arrive off Charleston. 

Chapter XXXII 320-329 

Passing Fort Sumter — Genuine Ethiopian Minstrels — Cape Ann 
Boys Near By — Charleston after the War — Off Again — At 



Contents. 

Georgetown — Loading Heavy Above and Below — A Bushel 
in a Peck Measure — A Thought of Danger Ahead — Warnings 
— The Risk Accepted — At Sea — The Pumps going Day and 
Night — We Arrive near Boston — Approach of a Gale — The 
Midnight Alarm — The Canvas Covered with Ice, and Flying 
Loose — Driven to Sea Again — Desperate Condition — Pumps 
Clogged with Tar — Seven Feet of Water in the Hold — All 
Hope of Saving the Vessel Despaired of. 

Chapter XXXIII 330-339 

The Vessel Breaking Up — We Take to the Boat — Engulfed by 
Heavy Seas — Presence of Mind — The Floating Lumber — Light- 
ening the Boat — The Return to the Wreck — The Boat finally 
Lost — Ten Feet of Deck our only Hope — Eight Days and 
Nights of Terrible Suffering — A Despairing Crew — Our Foot- 
hold Giving Way — Praying Men — Provisions Exhausted — We 
are Crazed for Want of Food — A Fearful Thought — The Glad 
Cry of " Sail, Ho " — The Men wild with Joy — We are Rescued 
by the " Peerless " and " Winter Bird " — Saved. 

Chapter XXXIY 340-349 

A Last Look at the " Avondale " — Another Stiff Breeze — Safe and 
Snug on Board the " Peerless " — Extreme Suffering resulting from 
our Exposure on the Wreck — At Porto Rico — A Hard Pull — 
Cuba — The Harbor of St. Jago — Interview with the American 
Consul — Queer Treatment — I am to Return in the " Dan 
Holmes " — Making Myself Generally Useful — Sugar Loading — 
A New Song for Every Hogshead — The Promenade. 

Chapter XXXY . . . 350-358 

Festival Time — A Wealthy Creole — Daily Sights in St. Jago — 
Hospitality — A Spanish Bull Fight — Our Cargo all Aboard — 
Outward Bound — The "Dan Holmes" under Full Sail — A 
Swift Passage and a Sure One — Off Jersey City — In Port — 
Once More at Home — A Farewell to Sea Life — Yankee Ned's 
Last Words to His Shipmates. 



Utt£t?ftti0tf£. 



I. The Vessel Ashore, and surrounded by Sav- 
ages TITLE 

II. Camping out in the Desert. .... 82 

III. Talking with the Soumaulies at Rashafoon. 88 

IV. The Approach to Mocolo. ..... 94 

V. Hailing the Stars and Stripes from an Arab 

Dow 108 

VI. Donkey Tricks on Sailors at Aden. . . 118 

VII. Taking down the Flag in Hampton Roads. . 224 

VIII. The Fishermen among the Icebergs on the 

Grand Banks. 284 

IX. Leaving the Wreck, and at Sea in an Open 

Boat. 332 



Seven Years of a Sailor's Life. 




CHAPTER I. 

My Birth — Early Longings for the Sea — Warnings Unheeded — 
Boats and Books — Leaving School — My First Voyage — On 
Board — The Cook Reckons — Ship Work — The Coast of the 
Eastern States — Classes of Men and Occupation — Fishing and 
Coasting — The Sailors' Mission — "Nothing to Laugh at" — 
Death of the Steward — Home Again — Sea Togs Laid Aside. 



FIRST saw the light of day as I was tossed 
and tumbled in the nurse's arms, in an un- 
pretending edifice situated on Winter Street, 
Salem, Massachusetts, and having escaped the thou- 
sand ills that young tuggers encounter, was kept 
to the school-room, and other similar institutions un- 
til my soul was sick of books, music, and dancing. 
I saw pleasure only in the water, and sketching little 
pictures of vessels in various positions. Anything in 
the shape of a boat was my fond delight. 

The best opportunities for mental improvement 
were thrown away, and my time was spent in making 
and rigging little models, and learning the different 
rig on the many kinds of craft that lined the docks. 
I learned to row dories, shift sails, scull boats, and 



12 Seven Years of a Sailor's Life. 

expose myself to all sorts of dangers at an early 
period. 

The warnings of my parents were unheeded, and 
as my father was full of business, he could spare but 
little time to look after the roaming propensities of 
his wayward son. The ocean was the only path to 
my El Dorado. The fair lands I read and dreamed of 
laid beyond the broad blue belt of water, and at last, 
at fever height, visions of salt water charms over- 
powered me. 

At fifteen we are headstrong, and know too much. 
The dangers of the ocean may be pictured to us in all 
their awful majesty, and men of experience who have 
braved the blazing sun of the tropics, and the towering 
masses of ice, in the depths of an Arctic winter, may 
recount their perils and the dangers they have met, 
and yet the buoyant young mind is unsatisfied. " I 
must see these things myself; why cannot I undergo 
the perils that others have," are the delusive thoughts 
that plunge too many young men into a life-long 
misery. I state my own ideas on this subject ; no one 
is responsible for the sufferings of those who scorn 
good advice and thrust their heads into the lion's 
jaws. 

I left school, and by the kindness of Captain H , 

an old friend of the family, planted my chest and 
myself on the deck of the " Invincible," an old-fash- 
ioned fore-and-after, bound on a lumber and coaling 
trip. I went for my health, and to gain an insight into 
the mysteries of sailor life. Good-byes were said, the 
little company on the pier saw the vessel leave the 



Seven Years of a Sailor's Life. 13 

harbor under a pile of canvas, and myself busy on the 
quarter catching the " tinker mackerel " that rippled 
the water about the vessel. The day was lovely, the 
wind fair, and at length catching the smell of pork 
frying out, I went down into the forecastle used for 
the galley, and there found the cook, a brawny, car- 
rotty-headed Yankee, preparing dinner. How my ten- 
der sensibilities were touched to see him bake bread, 
cook meat, and squirt tobacco juice, indulging in a 
tremendous oath if everything did not jibe to suit him. 
I soon returned to the deck, and saw the land gliding 
away astern. Dinner was quickly dispatched, the men 
were told off into watches, and before supper time, I 
began to feel quite easy. The cook with a grin said 
to the mate, " The youngster has not come to his 
milk yet, but I reckon he has gingerbread stowed 
in his chest to last a month," the truth of which reck- 
oning I soon disproved by telling him I had no kind 
of an appetite, whereupon he kindly recommended a 
pint of salt water, or a piece of pork on a string. 

I could not get the style of walking a crack, when 
the vessel was rolling rail under, but as for climbing a 
spar I equalled any on board, having practiced the art 
many months before I had a chance to go to sea. I was 
taught to steer, reef, and make myself useful, " for 
the sake of your health and to teach you," was the 
captain's every-day exclamation. The mate filled my 
head and hands with 'prentice sailor work ; splicing, 
tying knots, and bowlines, turks-head, double and sin- 
gle walls, crowns, Martha and other Walker's knots, 
turning in and ridding were given me for practice. 



14 Seven Years of a Sailors Life. 

The coast of the Eastern States is for the most part 
rocky and bold. During each of the many times I 
have run in from sea, I knew the exact locality of 
the vessel, whether off the sands of Cape Cod, the 
bold shores of Maine fringed with waving pines, the 
dark grass-covered headlands of Boston Bay, or the 
low, well-cultivated shores of Connecticut, the gaping 
rents in Rhode Island's border, or the sloping islands 
in Vineyard Sound. The lights of many colors 
were stamped upon my memory, and as the swift ves- 
sel rushed through the water, and I stood in midnight 
solitude at the wheel, I could fasten my gaze upon the 
exact spot, where home and friends all were, and be- 
came familiar with the twinkling lights up and down 
the coast. How often I have thought, as my eye 
watched the vessel's head, of what the folks might be 
doing at home. 

And here was I, deep-loaded, winged out, and oft- 
times flying before the winter blast, about a cannon- 
shot from the glowing fire, the well-spread table, and 
the pleasures of home. This trip was to me a merry 
voyage. We could read and sleep on deck, and every 
time the anchor was down, and the cotton furled, we 
could slip into the boat and go ashore. There are 
many classes of men to encounter in a summer's 
trip along our shores, — the heavy ships, the coasters, 
carrying all kinds of merchandize, from the little ten- 
ton boat, to the three-master, the pilot boats and their 
noble, brave crews, the dashing mackerel " killer," 
gentlemen's yachts, long white steamers that beat the 
water into foam, and swiftly bear the gay or sorrowing 



Seven Years of a Sailor's Life. 15 

passengers to their respective places ; the heavy, well- 
manned " banker," flying colors and salt wet; the rev- 
enue cutters, trim and taut, lying ready for service ; 
the huge man-of-war, as she glides away with heavy 
sails well-handled by a disciplined crew ; the long 
black propeller, deep with freight, and the market- 
boats and jiggers bearing their burdens to please the 
tastes and appetites of the residents of the great cities. 
And all these hundreds of craft are manned by men 
" who go down to the sea in ships." These thousands 
of men peril life and limb, and lead the hardest life 
of toil and privation, working day and night, travers- 
ing the ocean to make the landsmen happy, to increase 
their wealth and to enable them to luxuriate in the 
products of all climes and people. All that is im- 
ported or exported passes through their hands. They 
brave the dangers of every zone for scanty pay, and 
often meagre fare. The whale is pursued to regions 
of eternal snow ; the isles of the Indies and Polynesia 
bow their cocoa-covered tops in obeisance to the en- 
terprise of Yankee men. The continents are con- 
nected by electric wires, the products of every country 
beneficial to mankind are rolled up to our shores by 
sailor hands. And when the nation's life is at stake, 
a living wall of Yankee -sailors rises like a mighty 
bulwark against a foreign foe. At sea they do their 
duty, and on shore they are happy, and ready for any 
good work or hazardous undertaking. All honor to 
the generous, noble seamen, whether they are in small 
or large vessels. 

A month had passed pleasantly. The lumber was 



16 Seven Years of a Sailor s Life. 

discharged at the pier in Stonington, after which we 
had a chance to look around us. We watched with 
interest the huge steamers coming and going, and with 
wonder the engines, whose ponderous workings drove 
the leviathans along. The numerous watermelons, 
the baggage, the porters, and the tugs that flew up 
and down the river, were, to my young mind, full of 
interest. 

Near the " Plymouth Rock " lay a small steamer 
whose captain and crew essayed to pull up the steep 
gangway plank a load of trunks on a wheelbarrow. 
The rope was bent on, the captain and men tugged 
the .heavy pile nearly to the wharf, a negro pushing 
behind with sweaty brow, and all his power. The 
hands and passengers on the large steamer watched 
with some degree of merriment this novel way of dis- 
charging the luggage, when, as their most sanguine 
hopes were about to be realized, the slender rope 
parted, and in a confused mass went negro, luggage, 
and all. The captain who had hold of the end of 
the rope, fell under the shore party, and as the 
screams of wild laughter accompanied the accident, 
he managed to rise from the heap of tumbled-down 
men. Holding one hand on his injured part, he 
shook the other at the passengers and shouted, — 
" Laugh you cusses, laugh ; but I tell you it ain't 
anything to laugh at." His passion Cooled, when the 
men passed the luggage up by hand, and' he made a* 
promise never to work in such a lazy way again. 

We hauled out that evening, and with a fair wind 
and clear sky ran to New York, passing through the 



Seven Years of a Sailor's Life. 17 

so-called Hell Gate, and anchored off the Battery. 
After lying there three days, we sailed down the Jer- 
sey shore, and entered the Delaware Bay. Taking 
advantage of the tides, we soon reached Philadelphia, 
and lay off the pier at Richmond, that great coal 
depot of Pennsylvania, to be ready at a moment's 
notice to haul in and receive our return cargo. 

To a stranger the " city of friends " is a deep and 
interesting study. The neat squares and streets, the 
water-works, ferries, the shipping, markets, and coal 
wharves, were to us continual sources of interest. 
Our steward here went off on a spree, and on his 
return, I saw that he had more liquor than common- 
sense aboard his craft. I advised him to stay on the 
wharf until he could be brought to the vessel. Yet 
he heeded not my words, but stepping into the boat, 
lost his balance, and fell headlong into the river. 
There were many people on the wharf, yet he sank to 
the bottom so suddenly that no one could help him. 

This was the first man I had seen drown, and the 
occurrence made more of an impression on my mind 
than any of the numerous deaths I subsequently wit- 
nessed. I thought of his aged mother, and her grief to 
lose her only boy, and firmly determined to set my 
face against liquor and the rum traffic from that day 
on. Rum ! 0, horrid curse ! the insinuating Devil, 
that drags his victim surely along the high road to 
destruction. Even should the palsied hand refuse to 
take the cup, and the bleared eyes see no more the 
serpent-charm at the bottom, the ruined man clings 
to the old enemy, until, it may be, a flash of reason 
2 



18 Seven Years of a Sailor's Life, 

expels the dark viper that has been gnawing at his 
heart for months and years. 

Our vessel hauled to Pier No. 14, and loaded, the 
coal coming into the hold a car-load at a dump. The 
half-naked trimmers, with their flat " trimming 
boards," leveled the cargo, the decks were swept 
clean, and the next day we sailed for home. Noth- 
ing of interest occurred. The fine weather we en- 
joyed ; the fair wind wafted us safely over the shoals, 
the run was a good one, and as I grasped the wheel 
and shot the deep-loaded craft with her sails down to 
her berth, I felt in better health and strength than 
ever before, and vastly improved in my knowledge of 
life and its duties. " Home again ;" and as the light 
wagon rattled over the pavements, a feeling of regret 
came upon me at the thought of leaving the compan- 
ions of my three months' trip, and my first sea-life 
experience. But so it must be, and reluctantly lay- 
ing aside my sea togs, I prepared myself to engage in 
new scenes of life on shore. 



Seven Years of a Sailor's Life. 19 



CHAPTER II. 

At a Trade — " He will never make a Printer " — Discontent on 
Shore — Another Voyage in View — My Joy at its Height — 
Shipped Again — The " Guide " and her Crew — Don't be so fast, 
Ned — The Landlord's Attentions — Getting under Way — Off 
for Zanzibar— Farewell, Yankee-Land — In the Gulf — Sea-Sick, 
but not sick of the Sea — A Squall — Land, Ho — The Catama- 
ran — Crossing the Line — Rough Usage — Baptized in a Tub 
and made a son of Neptune — I can't see it — The ''Line" seen 
through a Spy Glass — The " Great Republic " right ahead, Sir — 
Off the Cape — The Albatross and Cold Weather — The Cape 
safely doubled. 

IP HE cold weather was fast approaching, and 
my parents wisely kept me from school, and 
sent me to learn the art of printing. I soon 
became disgusted with composing, distributing, and 
working the hand press. The foreman noticed my 
uneasiness. The work was at best irksome to me, 
and at last the old gentleman was informed, " Ned 
will never make a printer." I was quick fingered, 
quick of eye, and could pick up type fast enough, 
but, as they all said, I would never make a printer. 

They next procured for me a good situation in a 
store. This was better, for I learned to trade in many 
things and made many young friends. But as Capt. 

H , spent a day with our family, I overheard him 

remark, that the " Guide" was soon to be off for Zan- 
zibar, having most of the cargo on board and crew 
shipped. This was my chance. Here I found my 




20 Seven Years of a Sailor's Life. 

long sought for opportunity to take a voyage to the 
shores of Africa. I therefore quickly obtained the 
situation of cabin boy and steward, and as the cook 
was an old friend of mine, I knew I should succeed 
in my vocation. I cared not for wages ; I had every- 
thing a young sailor could wish for, and this is a 
great fault, — carrying too many garments and too 
much luggage, when one half of the quantity is far 
preferable. 

I had a view of the barque before I signed articles, 
and found her a fine-looking craft in every respect. 
None of the crew were on board, for they had no idea 
of leaving the shore until the last moment. I spent 
the afternoon at Griffin's, with my shipmates soon to 
be. They were dressed with care, their hair shining 
with oil, or tucked neatly under their glazed caps. 
All were sober and looking finely. How many of 
that band of fine young men ever stood again under 
that awning, or lounged on the blue-painted sea 
chests ? Did ever one receive a shake of the hand, a 
farewell kiss, or a lump of the best tobacco from that 
sidewalk again ? I longed to be off. They longed to 
stay, and loaf it out a few days longer. 

" Don't you be so fast to leave home, Ned. You 
will be a darned sight faster to get back to it again." 

" Yes," said another, as he took the fragrant cigar 
from his mouth, " She is a gay boat and hunkey in 
every strand, but there is no place like home, if it is 
a shell-back's lodging house. Hey, Eb ? " 

They agreed to be on hand at daylight, and then 
paired off to have their last night on shore. 



Seven Years of a Sailor's Life. 21 

The landlord packed their kits, slipping little com- 
forts in the corners, in the shape of slender jugs of 
whiskey, pounds of the weed of James' River, and 
charging a round price for all these little favors. I 
walked the street till the bell struck nine, and then 
retired to my room to meditate and rest. My parents 
and friends in the next city I had some thought of, 
but what engrossed my direct attention was, the com- 
ing voyage. Would I not be smart and willing, and 
win my way up to maritime favor ? I had the lesson 
by heart, of civility to all ; kindness, daring and 
cheerfulness were also essential. 

At the break of clay I stood on the walk, and found 
half of the crew assembled. We had a rousing good 
breakfast, and then started under the guidance of the 
mate to drum up the more backward ones. They 
were soon called together, but would run into every 
friend's house and get their farewell tod of whiskey 
as they went along. The morning w as cold and clear, 
and by the time the crew had turned the head of the 
wharf, many of them were full of liquor. Their sweet- 
hearts and friends gave them a hearty hug as they 
stepped into the boats, and then they laid to the oars 
with a will, and were soon at the side of the barque that 
lay at anchor in the stream. The men's chests were 
on the deck, and were quickly transferred to the fore- 
castle. Off came jackets and extra clothing, and the 
crew jumped to their duties. It made me stare, to 
see those same young men who reeled down the wharf 
wild with liquor, spring into the rigging and run up 
with the agility of cats, lay out on the tapering yards 



22 Seven Years of a Sailor's Life. 

and loosen the topsails, knowing exactly when and 
what to do, and civil to the officers. At the word, 
the canvas hung in wavy folds, and the gear was well 
overhauled. Down the rigging they leaped, and to the 
windlass brakes. Then as they felt the old emotion, 
that they were at every stroke of the brakes slowly 
parting their last hold on Yankee land, they broke 
forth in a chanting that made the sleepy crews of the 
numberless coasters turn out in quick time. " 0, 
Riley, 0," " Whiskey for my Johnny," and the loud 
toned " Storm along, my Rosa," woke the echoes far 
and near. The rising sun seemed glad at the lively 
scene. The anchor was drawn from its oozy bed ; 
the topsails sheeted home, and away went the 
" Guide," the last tie severed, and moving like an 
albatross over the ruffled water. Light sail were 
loosed and set, and as the freshening breeze drove us 
down the harbor at a flying rate, the hills covered 
with a coat of emerald green, were fast passing from 
our sight, perhaps forever. The cool April wind 
fanned our heated faces as we cast a long, lingering 
look upon the land of home, friends, liberty and 
equality. Too well we now realized that an eventful 
voyage had began. 

On, like a racer dashed the clipper, the sana hills 
of Cape Cod being on our weather-quarter at set of 
sun. It was here we took a point of departure. The 
Nor'-Wester held good in our favor, and in three 
days' time frcm leaving home we had crossed the 
" gulf." Here we had a touch of rough weather, but 
we passed safely through. I was down with sea-sick- 



Seven Years of a Sailor's Life. 23 

ness, and the officers, at my own desire, allowed me 
my own way, I knew if I gave up I should feel worse 
for so doing, and when my head sank on my breast, I 
staggered up and down the drenched deck, until I 
felt better. " Never say die," said the mate, cheerily. 

" Hang to her, my bold townie," said the men, and 
after a few days I could walk a crack on deck, no 
matter how hard the vessel pitched and rolled. I 
conquered the sickness forever. Three days of reef- 
ing and banging about the " gulf," was a sufficiency. 
I was heartily pleased when the gale abated and the 
glorious sun poured his refulgent rays over the storm- 
lashed sea. We saw no friendly sail to cheer our 
vision. The gulf weed lay on the water in yellowish 
brown masses. The weather was lovely, the wind 
light and baffling, and the clear blue ocean could be 
gazed into, fathoms below the surface. The first little 
world that came wafting along over the limped sea, 
was the barque " Ionia," of Boston, bound in, from 
the West Coast of Africa. Greetings were exchanged 
and papers put aboard. She soon passed from our 
view, and again we ploughed the trackless sea, under 
a clear, warm sky. 

We were now in the track of homeward bound ves- 
sels from the West Indies, and many an English ves- 
sel we spoke, as the heavy craft lumbered along under 
all the sail it could spread, with its rich cargo of su- 
gar, molasses, dyewoods, and other productions of the 
tropics. How pleasant it is to the sailor to meet these 
passing sails, as they move like things of life along 
the trackless path, the unerring compass guiding 
them safely on their way. 



24 Seven Years of a Sailor's Life. 

The weather was very warm. The sun's rays beat 
in fiery strength on our parched decks, — a number of 
the men keeping them wet down. Every shaded place 
was eagerly sought. The tar dropped from the rigging ; 
the paint blistered everywhere. Every piece of brass 
was so heated that it burned the naked hand. Every 
one was clothed in the thinnest garments he could 
muster. Even the tough and active bull-dog was 
content to lie still then. The cook jumped into one 
door of his galley, looked at the dinner cooking, and 
jumped through the other open door. Hot ! well, we 
thought it was. 

All kinds of tropic fish were plenty. The men 
lounged in the shade of the forward sails, and grained 
the dolphin and bonitas. Vast schools of flying fish 
rose from the water, and as the hot sun dried their 
wings, they fell into the jaws of the hungry dolphins, 
that followed them like flashes of light, or the watch- 
ful sea-bird pounced upon them from mid-air, and bore 
his prize away, glittering like silver in the clear, hot 
air. 

At night the starry firmament revealed to us the 
beautiful " Southern Cross," and an occasional red 
meteor speeding on its unknown path. The wake of 
the vessel was like a track of white fire, as it gleamed 
in the dark star-lit sea. The binnacle light revealed 
the trusty man at the wheel, as he guided the huge fab- 
ric through the wide-swelling waters. On some nights 
there was a dash of rain, and all hands were turned 
out in quick time to stand by for squalls. Finally a 
severe one burst in a fitful gust upon us ; the wet, 



Seven Years of a Sailor's Life. 2 5 

heavy sails were clewed up safe and snug ; the barque 
rushed on like a mad whale, while the fury of the 
squall lasted, and when it had passed over, was left 
courtesying and rolling in the wake of the elements. 

The island of Fernando de Norona was sighted, and 
one of the crew swore that a " Catamaran," or native 
boat was pulling off to us ; but as the glass of the 
officer could not discover the boat, it was regarded as 
a hoax. The crew were up to some kind of fun : I 
knew it by the way they manoeuvred, and on the 
Fourth of July, a hoarse voice under the bow sud- 
denly cried out : 

" Have you got any of my children aboard this 
boat?" 

"Aye, aye, sir," was responded from the fore-top; 
and at that moment a huge monster, clad like Old Nep, 
appeared over the knight heads. All the uninitiated 
tried to run away from the crew that had prepared to 
see the fun. Strong arms brought the green ones, 
myself in the number, to the forward deck. Large 
tubs of water just drawn from the ocean stood near by. 
I saw all the paraphanalia of Father Neptune with 
some misgivings, and meekly resigned myself to his 
hands. I was told to answer the questions he might 
put to me, and after being shaved with a rusty hoop, 
and made to swallow a quart of salt water, which they 
poured down the speaking trumpet, they let me go — 
first baptizing me in one of the tubs of water — and 
with a slap between the shoulders that nearly made 
me lose my breath, proclaimed me a " Son of Nep- 
tune." The other young men were put through the 



26 Seven Years of a Sailor's Life. 

ordeal in a manner that went against their grain. 
They struggled, kicked and swore to no purpose. 
Young Smith narrowly escaped strangulation, and 
Welch, of the port watch?, was lowered over the ves- 
sel's side. My fears were aroused for his safety, but 
he was soon drawn aboard, alive and well, and strong 
enough to tear the venerable Neptune's head-gear 
from him when released, which he did, with a con- 
siderable degree of satisfaction. 

We were then allowed to see the line, and of course 
soon exclaimed, " We can't see it." At this the kind- 
hearted mate handed us the spy-glass, and to our aston- 
ishment we saw the line. It was a hair drawn across 
the lens of the glass. We were all satisfied, and the 
captain spliced the main brace. I was laughed at for 
not drinking on the " Glorious Fourth," but I re- 
membered my pledge, and kept it. We now had the 
" Trades," and bowled it off in fine style direct for 
the Cape of Good Hope. The ship " Great Republic " 
came sweeping toward us under a pile of canvas. How 
noble that stately ship appeared, dancing over the 
sparkling sea. The four masts seemed a curious rig 
to me, and I lost no time in making a sketch of her 
as she passed across our bows. 

We saw no more vessels until we neared the Cape, 
where we sighted a whaler far to leeward, jogging 
along under reefed topsails. The days had grown ex- 
tremely short. Lamps were lighted and supper eaten 
at three o'clock in the afternoon. All unnecessary 
work was suspended, and the men were glad of the op- 
portunity to sit around and spin yarns, keep comfort- 



Seven Years of a Sailor's Life. 27 

able, and only work the sails. The best of hot food, 
chocolate and coffee, were served out in our rations, 
and we took solid comfort as we doubled the Cape of 
Good Hope. The month of August is very cool in 
these low latitudes, and pea-jackets, thick boots and 
mittens come into use. 

The mighty Albatross wheeled in circles in mid-air, 
or darted like the rush of a cannon ball to the water 
when they caught sight of a morsel of waste food float- 
ing in the angry wake of the barque. The pretty 
Cape pigeons fluttered around the hull. The goney 
and booby perched on the bare upper spars. Plenty 
of porpoises darted under the sharp cutwater, or were 
brought, flapping, to the deck, with the firm bowline 
clasping their tails. Two of the albatross were taken 
with a long line and hook. One bird measured thir- 
teen feet from tip to tip of his wings. The smaller 
bird measured eleven feet. These noble birds were 
soon despatched, the bull-dog having a terrible fight 
with the larger one, before his proud head sank to 
the deck. Many " curioes," were made from these 
birds, and the great unsightly carcasses thrown over- 
board. At length the captain gave the order to 
" fall off a couple of points." We had safely doubled 
the Cape. 




28 Seven Years of a Sailor's Life, 



CHAPTER III. 

Mozambique Channel — Hove to — The Signal — The Pilot on 
Board — A Joke that was not a Joke — Unloading — A Yankee 
Among the Sharks — A Mutiny Planned — " Forewarned is 
Forearmed — Watching for the First Move — The Attempt at 
Midnight — The Struggle — The Arrest— All Right Again — A 
Jaunt on Shore — The Jetty — Mozambique and its People — Co- 
coa Nut and Palm Trees — Ready for a Start. 



WEEK after we had passed the Cape we 
were in pleasant weather. Cold would not 
be likely to trouble us again. Soon we en- 
tered the Mozambique Channel, that broad and beau- 
tiful strait, lying between the island of Madagascar 
and the main land. The waters of this channel fifty 
years ago swarmed with slavers and petty pirates ; the 
salubrious climate, charming locality, and the constant 
passing of richly laden homeward bound vessels, 
together with the plenty of the shore and the inno- 
cence of the islanders, rendering it their most fruitful 
field of operation. How many bold crews have ended 
their career of crime within sight of these shores, 
history alone can tell. Now, the swift keels of the 
merchantmen and the trader alone disturb its beau- 
tiful surface. 

As we drew near the coast of Mozambique, the high, 
level table-land, covered with perpetual verdure, was 
presented to our view. How pleasant it was to see 
the glorious sun settle down behind the long chain of 



Seven Years of a Sailor's Life. 29 

highlands that marked the coast. Immense groves 
of cocoa-nut trees lined the shores. The white sandy 
beach stretched far away, until our eyes looked 
upon the tapering and shining point, a glad sight to 
us, after gazing at sea and sky alone for four long 
months. Night settled over the land ; the light sails 
were furled, the topsails laid to the mast, and we 
" hove to " until daylight. At the first blush of dawn 
we squared away, availing ourselves of the early land 
breeze, and ran for the port. The ensign and burgee 
were set. The watchful sentinels who had their eyes 
on us for a long time, were with columns of smoke 
telegraphing our arrival to the consignees. A clum- 
sy boat pulled by twenty naked blacks, with much 
clamor, approached us. The old pilot, clad in colored 
rags, shouted and yelled his commands to his ebony 
crew, beating them with a heavy stick to make them 
obey. The pilot fastened to us, and mounted the side 
ladder. Our bull-dog who had been running about 
the deck seeking for something to whet his large teeth 
upon, made a sudden dart at the black legs of the 
native, who frantically jumped to the Captain's side, 
yelling in all the wild gibberish he could muster, his 
face of a pale blue color, with fear. The Captain sent 
the cause of his trouble away, but not before the 
heavy jaws of the dog had secured the remnant of 
colored rag that adorned his waist. Poor pilot, he 
was so frightened that he could not give proper 
orders, and if he had, we could not have made out 
what he said. 

The Captain knew his duty, and as he tramped the 



30 Seven Years of a Sailor's Life. 

top of the house, cigar in mouth, gave prompt and 
well-obeyed orders. Everything was ready to come 
to anchor. " Clew up," " settle away," and other 
commands were no sooner spoken than obeyed. The 
proud little barque rushed by the fort, glided to her 
anchorage in good style, and we were soon lying off 
the "jetty." The Custom-house officers, clad in blue, 
their coats adorned with gilt buttons and epaulets, 
came up the ladder, twirling their black mustaches, 
and suavily smiling to the Captain. 

The day after we arrived the hatches were opened, 
and by the aid of a motley gang, the cargo began to 
tumble over the sides of the vessel. The only attire 
of the natives consisted of a small piece of cloth 
wound about the waist. They worked very well, re- 
ceiving as pay for their day's labor a number of hard 
biscuits, or an order for food on shore. Many of them 
had their teeth filed to a point, and chewed betel-nuts 
and limes. Some were splendidly formed, young and 
healthy ; others were old and withered. A piece of 
tobacco was a great luxury to them. I had brought a 
box containing twenty pounds, as a venture of my own, 
and was, consequently, ready for a trade. For a sin- 
gle plug I purchased a barrel of fruit of various kinds, 
but was wisely cautioned against eating too much, a 
piece of advice which, fortunately, I had common- 
sense enough to heed. 

The harbor was full of sharks, and all the natives 
feared the grip of the rapacious monsters that were 
ready to seize anything eatable that fell into the water. 
The cook and myself had fine sport spearing those 



Seven Years of a Sailor's Life. 31 

that rose to the surface, in search for such ofFal as 
was thrown over. A boat of ours having in some 
way broken adrift, one of our crew, scorning the fear 
of sharks, and full of poor whiskey, lowered himself 
quietly into the water, and swam after and regained it, 
bringing it safely back to its position. This daring 
act filled the natives with surprise, and they became 
more convinced than ever that Yankees would dare 
anything and everything. Our -crew were too well 
treated in some respects : if they had had less leisure 
it would have been better for them and all concerned. 
One day we received a quantity of specie ; hundreds of 
hard silver dollars snugly packed in stout boxes, and 
three sealed bags of gold. This specie we were to 
take to Aden, and either deposit it, or with it buy a 
return cargo of dates, spices, wool, ebony, ivory, and 
hides. Some of our men began to act strangely. I 
knew them all by heart except two, " Boston " and 
" Jake," and felt quite sure that trouble was brewing. 
The men had plenty of liquor procured from shore, 
and the native rum was enough to make any man a 
fiend, being fermented from the juice of the cocoa-nut, 
and as much worse than Mexican liquor or China 
" samsho," as those vile drinks are worse than our 
pure native wines. 

Our cargo was yet three fourths in the hold. We 
had taken out all that was destined for this port, and 
had stowed away four hundred sticks of ebony wood. 
What a splendid chance for those men to take 
the barque, being well provisioned, with cargo, specie, 
and small arms, and turn it into a pirate. The long 



32 Seven Years of a Sailors Life. 

gun on deck would do good execution, and they 
knew the barque to be a model vessel, swift, sure, and 
strong. 

As I carelessly leaned against the forward house, I 
over-heard the words that came from the tipsy men's 
lips : — " Mutus dedit no men cosis — Muerto del 
norte," was the game they had chalked out on their 
sea chests. I was responsible for any misconduct 
that should occur, for the Captain was ashore, the 
mates were unconcerned, or knew nothing of the im- 
pending danger. Bridges, Pratt, and Smith were 
ashore with the Captain. I told the cook of what I had 
overheard, and as he drew his hand over his eyes, he 
said : " Ned, we have summered and wintered with 
those men, we have been schoolmates with some, and 
I feel bound to them in many respects, but they are 
full of fire to-night; they have knocked off duty be- 
cause they did not get their roast chicken at ten 
o'clock ; you know full well the cabin did not have 
them, — and with yams, coffee, bread and pork, they 
are not, but ought to be, satisfied. 'T is the liquor, 
and bad luck to the one that goes abaft the mast to- 
night." 

I returned to the cabin and had all the weapons 
ready for use at a moment's warning, then leaned on 
the cabin stairs, revolver in hand, watching the fore- 
castle door. The damp night-dew fell on the moon- 
lit deck. It was as calm as death all about the 
barque. The sickly lights in the houses on shore 
cast their feeble rays on the placid waters. The tiny 
clock in the cabin told the hour of midnight. I was 



Seven Years of a Sailor's Life. 33 

about to retire to my berth, and laugh at my fears, 
when a thought of danger kept me still on the watch. 
Half an hour more had slipped away. Then one form 
came creeping cautiously from the dark forecastle. 
Soon another followed. At length, four men were 
there. The other three, I concluded, were too drunk 
to do any harm. Slowly they staggered along under 
the shadow of the rail and rigging, all in a line, as 
noiselessly as they could. They were the very four 
men I knew would dare to do anything when drunk. 
They reached the main mast, and stood only about fif- 
teen feet from me. What was to be done by me 
must be done quickly ; I jumped and covered my man, 
and as the little seven-shooter stared the foremost one 
in the eye, with my finger on the trigger, nervous 
yet calm, I cried out, " The first man that steps over 
the hatch is a corpse. Do it if you dare ; you are 
dead men if you advance." 

" That 's so, I 'm here," said the cook, as he ap- 
peared on the deck, with his muscular arms bared to 
the shoulder, and a sharp knife in his hand. 

" And I am here, too, my bold pups," echoed the 
mate, cigar in mouth, as he confronted the terror- 
stricken men. "Ah, you rascals, you are used too 
well ; we '11 fix you as you deserve in the morning." 

The dip of oars moved by quick and willing hands, 
shot the light gig over the water, and in a moment 
the Captain mounted the side. Like whipped curs, 
the mutineers slunk away to their berths, and the 
mate then grasped my hand saying, " Ned, you are a 
brick ; you did just right. We can't praise you too 
3 



34 Seven Years of a Sailors Life. 

much. They tried to cut up some pranks, but we 
nipped their plans in the bud." 

The cook stepped forward and gave his testimony. 
" Yes, cuss the thieves, they have been drunk these 
three days, and growled because they did not get 
their fried chicken for breakfast." 

" Chickens be blowed," cried the Captain, " I'll give 
them Portuguese chickens to-morrow," and with this 
remark he left the deck in charge of the mate, who, 
lighting a fresh cigar, made himself comfortable un- 
der the awning, and talked long and earnestly with 
the cook about the men, and the gay old times about 
home. 

This was one of the many night adventures I have 
experienced, and always found that to be fore-warn- 
ed, was to be fore-armed. In the morning when I 
called the Captain to breakfast, he gleaned all the par- 
ticulars from me ; then ate his meal in a hurry,, and 
went on deck. Unrolling a bundle of flags, he picked 
out the proper ones, and with them signalized the man- 
of-war that lay at anchor in the harbor. A govern- 
ment launch, manned by twenty men, quickly headed 
towards us and was soon alongside. With much noise 
and display of their muskets and cutlasses the men 
ran up the side ladder, and stood upon the deck, 
looking around for an enemy, and spoiling for a fight. 
A conversation ensued between the Captain and the 
officer of the boat, during which the particulars were 
stated, and it was determined to arrest the culprits 
and convey them for safe keeping to the man-of-war. 
Immediately the officer spoke to his men, who quickly 



Seven Years of a Sailor's Life, 35 

produced the iron bracelets and started to put them on 
our four rhen, who stood together near the forecastle 
door. The Portuguese laid down their weapons, and 
collared the four half drunken men. The thought 
that they were being dragged away from their ship by 
Portuguese hands, suddenly flashed upon their mud- 
dled brains. They threw their sturdy arms in the 
air, and the captors were quickly hurled to the deck. 
With wild shouts they sprang into the crowd of Por- 
tuguese, and like a water-spout, the four desperate men 
moved among the swarthy crew. The cowardly Por- 
tuguese presented their muskets at our*men's heads, 
and in this persuasive style brought them to terms. 
They then quietly went to the boat, were conveyed to 
the frigate, and put in confinement. 

We lay in the harbor four days longer, during 
which I had plenty of time to see the place. It is a 
homely town at best, wholly under the control of Por- 
tuguese, who wink at all sorts of crime, so long as a 
doubloon can be made by the operation. The sharp 
hulls of slavers can hide in the dense woods, and the 
smugglers pay their way in silence, unmolested by 
any local authorities. The country natives, as a class, 
barely subsist on rice, fruit, and barley. Were it not 
for the fear of cruisers, the port of Mozambique could 
ship thousands of slaves. Yankees send sugar, cloth, 
flour, and rum, and barter these for ebony, ivory, 
mats, precious ores, and dye-woods. The fort at the 
entrance of the harbor is a miserable contrivance. A 
handful of determined men could walk straight 
through it. Many old hulks lay in the harbor, the 



36 Seven Years of a Sailors Life. 

Portuguese flag flying from staffs at their sterns. The 
soldiers at the corners of the streets appeared too 
weak to hold their muskets. The large buildings are 
the Governor's house, the Consul's residence, and 
the Public Store Houses. All the other buildings 
have a tumble-down appearance ; flat roofed, with 
high, narrow doors and windows, and for the most 
part built of old tiles. The jetty is a grand place 
at which to land boats. It is built nicely, of pink- 
colored stone, and finding that it could be easily cut, 
being as soft as chalk, we engraved our names on one 
of its arches. 

The ship's boys and myself strolled up the narrow, 
dusty streets, taking note of all that interested us. 
The bugler was sounding a call from the Governor's 
house ; his bright instrument gleaming in the rays of 
the hot sun. The little, white, humped-back cattle 
were dragging uncouth carriages, loaded with goods 
for the store-houses. The half-naked girls, as black 
as the cook's kettles, were all about us, and with 
many signs, besieged us to buy their fruit, cowry, 
shell-work, pieces of ivory, boiled eggs, and long jugs 
of the infernal native rum. 

After freeing ourselves from the clamorous crowd, 
we passed through the town, and became interested ' 
in looking at the rude blacksmiths, the wood carvers, 
and the bird fanciers. Everybody looked after us ; 
and beggars hobbled along and cried for a share of 
our bounty. A morsel of the weed satisfied them. 
We had no need of money in this port, our tobacco 
purchased for us all we wanted. The cocoa-nut 



Seven Years of a Sailor's Life. 37 

trees, planted in all directions, were pleasant to 
our sight. Their immense long leaves, waving in the 
hot, lazy air, relieved the wearisomeness of the hot 
piles of old buildings that we rubbed against as we 
walked. Indeed, I thought there were leaves enough 
to make fans to cool the faces of every church-goer in 
the world. 

We had rambled about the town until we had 
" done it brown," and as the sun declined in the West, 
pursued our way to the jetty. Getting into the boat, 
we pulled off to the barque, and found that a load of 
fresh provisions had just arrived alongside. By this 
we knew that we were soon to leave and go to Zanzi- 
bar. Everything was put in ship-shape order, and all 
made ready for instant departure. The captain said 
he should certainly sail at the dawn of day, and went 
to take a last look at the imprisoned mutineers. 



38 Seven Years of a Sailor's Life. 




CHAPTER IT. 

Ho for Zanzibar — Charming Weither and Scenery — Pilot Fish 
and Johnny Shark — The Island in View — " Under the Sand " — 
Harbor Scenes — A Pull for the Shore — Dress and Manners — 
A Fearful Weapon — " Old Sides " and his Pet Boys — A Visit to 
the Shell Shops — Oddities and Curious Sights — Buying Monkeys 
— Slave Market at Zanzibar — Ten Dollars a Head — A Man with 
Fifty Wives — Rough Sport — Sails set for Aden — Passengers 
Received — Underway. 

*^ 

|p HE Captain brought back in the boat with 
him the four imprisoned men. They looked 
^i? P" a little sick of their confinement, and had 
agreed to assist in working the barque to Zanzibar, to 
behave themselves during the passage, and allow the 
American Consul there to dispose of them as he 
thought best. They were humble enough, and glad 
to get back to their old floating home. 

At daylight we hove the anchor to the bow, set our 
sails, and glided out of the harbor, sheering the long, 
black reefs that lie outside. The gray mist of the 
morning was lifting from the river, and the air was 
fragrant with the fruits and flowers of the tropics. 
The gaily-plumaged birds flew from one strip of land 
to another, as the Guide entered the narrow strait 
that led to the dark blue waters beyond. 

The waves were churned into yeasty foam by the 
towering rocks that rose like walls on our port hand. 



Seven Years of a Sailor's Life. 39 

Large schools of porpoises and grampus were playing 
outside of the reef. The anchors were fished and 
catted, and we came into the open sea in fine style. 
The flying-fish darted from the water, and the Nauti- 
lus, or Portuguese man-of-war, spread his tiny purple 
sail, with its long poisonous nettles dragging in the 
water. The scene was beautiful in all respects, for 
the day was charming, and all nature seemed in per- 
fect harmony. The lofty table lands were fast fading 
from view, and the well-wooded shores lessened into 
a single green strip, or belt, to our sight, as our clip- 
per cleft the clear waters, and pointed her sharp nose 
for Zanzibar. The pilot-fish were constantly under 
the bows, and the long gray shark, showed his sharp 
fin cutting through the water, or rolled over on his 
side to catch any tempting morsel that floated astern. 
The mutineers attended to their duties, and said but 
little. They only worked the barque, and had noth- 
ing to do with washing down the deck, or any other 
labor. 

The fine weather continued, and at the end of the 
fourth day after leaving the port of Mozambique, the 
large island of Zanzibar loomed up before us. The 
long points of land on either bow seemed to welcome 
us in. Beyond Cocoa-Nut Island we observed the 
tall spars of the Arab men-of-war, riding at anchor. 
They were formerly English vessels, two and three- 
deckers, and were presented to the king of Zanzibar, 
by the English government. They bore the long red 
flag of the country, and looked very imposing as they 
lay at their moorings. The town was fairly before us, 
with Dead Man's Island on the Nor'-West. 



40 Seven Years of a Sailor's Life. 

How many sailors' bones lie under the sand and 
grass of that little island ! The storm-tossed old salt 
peacefully sleeps there. The fair-haired boy, fresh 
from home, rests beneath its soil. No fond eyes will 
sparkle to see him return from his first voyage, no 
blithe step spring to welcome him home. How is it 
that so many have thus died ? They entered the 
harbor, full of life and health, but a too free indul- 
gence in fruit, liquor, and sleeping where the deadly 
night-dews fell upon them, cut short their earthly 
career. I am filled with dread as I think of that little 
island, and am glad that my bones are not there, 
although it Avas by a desperate move that I was saved 
from the death-grip of the African cholera. I had 
eaten for supper only a slice of wheat bread, spread 
with mango jelly,, and a banana or two, and after 
walking the deck till nine at night, retired to my 
berth. Quite unexpectedly I was taken with the 
cholera, and turned black in. a few hours. All the 
ship's remedies failed, and I was in horrid spasms. 
All was done in vain. The men said, " Dead Man's 
Island is gaping for poor Ned." I had medicine of my 
owii ; the dose for cholera was a wine-glass full. I 
dragged myself to my little state-room, opened my 
chest, took a pint bottle of the medicine and laid down 
to " die. by my colors." The medicine proved my 
salvation ; I was weak and delirious for three days, 
then came out as bright as a silver dollar, and went 
about my usual duties. I could eat tropical fruit 
after that, as I can now eat any kind of our Northern 
fruit, with impunity. 



Seven Years of a Sailor's Life. 41 

Up we passed to our anchorage. The shores lined 
with dark waving foliage, were on the starboard hand. 
The water was so clear we could see the bottom of the 
bay under the keel of our vessel. The pilot-fish were 
balancing on their strong little fins, and keeping up 
with our own swift sailing. We watched the sluggish 
shark as it moved through the clear water, and every 
weed and rock was visible to us as we leaned over the 
bows. This same kind of rocky bottom I have seen 
on the main ledge of the Banks of Newfoundland, 
and also the pure sandy bottom on the Bahama 
banks. 

We gave the long point of white sand a good berth 
and ran in among the shipping lying at anchor. 
Down went the mud-hook, the cable tautened at 
twenty-five fathoms, and we had room to swing among 
the many craft- that filled the harbor. There were 
men-of-war, merchant ships of many nations, and 
Arab dows and bungalows in profusion. A Yankee 
barque had just been taken by the English steamer, 
" Brisk/' with four hundred and eighty slaves aboard. 
Some said it was the " Sunny South," of New York. 
The French frigate " La Some " had just left the 
harbor to catch another that that morning had dared 
to show her topsails on the opposite side of the island. 

A chanty gang was engaged to hoist out the cargo, 
and one of them in trying to steal hard bread, find- 
ing the bull-dog upon him, jumped overboard and 
swam safely ashore. 

The mutinous men were handed over to the Amer- 
ican Consul, and at his desire, they- were placed in 



42 Seven Years of a Sailor's Life. 

the large round prison. They were supplied with 
food from the barque until the vessel left the port. 
I saw two of those men in Bombay many months 
after. They said they held no ill-will against any 
one, and came to the ship that I served on, treated 
me in good shape, and offered me a handful of rupees, 
for they had been lucky in escaping the fatal wreck 
on which so many of their shipmates had perished. 

The natives employed to discharge our cargo 
strung themselves out on the long fall, and merrily 
hoisted from the hold the bales of cotton cloth, boxes 
of cigars, tobacco, and sugar, that were consigned to 
this port. My own duties were light. All that I 
had to do was to take an account of the cargo, as it 
came from the hatch. I sat under the awning with 
a negro standing fanning me, and had plenty of cigars 
to smoke. All of the cabin work was performed in 
the cool of the day. 

Hundreds of boats were plying about the calm har- 
bor, the songs of their lusty crews echoing from shore to 
shore. Large Arab dows were loading with cocoa-nuts, 
bound for Aden. I went aboard one of them, and 
found an ungainly vessel of about one hundred tons, 
built of teak wood, with the wheel amidship, masts 
leaning sharply forward, bearing large, clumsy, trian- 
gular sails. The hold was full of cocoa-nuts. The 
crew were lounging about, with the cut-throat look- 
ing jambea in their girdles. I saw no block nor pul- 
lies of any kind. All the rigging was made of coir 
rope, and the sails of good cotton duck. Two large 
copper cannon were lying dismounted on the deck, 



Seven Years of a Sailor's Life. 43 

and the long red flag, with its crescent and star flut- 
tered from its staff at the stern. 

I stepped into the boat again, and told the four 
good-looking darkies to pull for the shore. These 
boat boys were " Old Sides " pet boys, and attended to 
the wants of the Yankee captains. They knew every 
vessel that came from America, and as they pulled 
their sharp little boat for the shore, talked in very 
good English. They were all dressed in gay and 
clean clothes, their little daggers glistening in the 
many folds of bright cloth about their waists. We 
landed, and with the eldest boy, whom I called 
" Uma," started up the street. I was as gay as any 
young sailor should be when on a day's liberty. 

I told my young guide to go to the shell shops, and 
as I toiled through the narrow streets, I stopped every 
little while to see the natives at their daily work, fab- 
ricating iron from the bar, making daggers, swords, 
spear-heads, and the jambea. This last weapon is 
enough to make the blood run cold to look upon. 
The handle is set full of gay and costly stones. The 
blade is broad, short, and curved like a fish-hook. 
The manner of using it is to plunge it into the ene- 
my's body, and rip the victim clear to the throat, and 
is, as may readily be supposed, a terrible weapon in 
the hands of an adept. 

Entering the shell shop, I found piles of conch and 
other large shells which the clivers obtain from the 
bottom of the sea. Further on were those of a smaller 
size, and as room after room was visited, we came at 
length to the small, delicate ones I so eagerly sought. 



44 Seven Years of a Sailors Life. 

I gave a half dollar in silver for as many as I could 
easily carry in a rush basket. Oh, how American 
girls would like to have walked through that shop, 
rude as it was, and emitting a nauseous odor, yet piled 
full of beautiful marine shells , though they might be 
shocked at the appearance of the women and girls, 
they would certainly be in ecstacies of delight as 
they looked upon the exquisite cowry shell-work, 
the feather and mat work, the bead trimming, and the 
gaily made jewelry so plentiful. 

I returned to my floating home in time to prepare 
the evening meal, which consisted of salt beef, bread, 
sardines, wine, and sugared oranges. The men on 
deck were buying monkeys ; and a little animal called 
the " Mongoose," was in great demand with all. The 
chanty men wanted biscuit, and waited to receive 
them. The white bull-dog drove the chattering crowd 
into the rigging, and after the mate had teased 
them long enough, he gave them some hard bread, 
which they folded in their turbans, and then went 
ashore as happy as larks. 

The barque " Sunny South " had been disposed 
of, the " La Some " had at last cornered the other 
slaver, and the deep booming of her twenty-four 
pounders awoke the sleepy natives from their siesta. 

A walk to the market-place revealed to us that the 
Sabbath was not known there. The Mohammedan 
religion holds undisputed sway in these countries, ex- 
cept among the inland tribes, who worship anything 
they please. Even the most degraded men on the 
face of the earth admit there is a great Fountain of 



Seven Years of a Sailor s Life. 45 

Supreme Good, one high and mighty Ruler over all, 
who keeps this vast machine of land, water, sun, and 
all the planets, in perfect order, — Nature's great 
God,— and yet there are white men, blessed with 
every opportunity of learning of Him, who say, " There 
is no God, all things are the result of chance." 

The Slave trade is smouldering in its ashes. 
Guinea and Senegal took a long leap when this dia- 
bolical traffic jumped across the continent of Africa; 
but English gunboats and small cruisers have ferret- 
ed out the slavers, and followed them so closely that 
they are now nearly extinct. At Zanzibar are still to 
be found slaves of all sizes, standing ready for sale, 
at any price from ten to fifty dollars. When " Old 
Sides," the homely, black, ill-shaped, lord of the 
manor, fancies a clean, well-formed negress, he buys 
and takes her to his harem. He has now over 
fifty wives, and hundreds of slaves. He is a regu- 
lar black devil, but keeps on the blind side of the 
captains that come to this port Ah, Sides, you are 
an old wretch, and any one can see it. Have you 
not seen flesh and blood sold hundreds of times — 
and how many of your victims have you planted un- 
der the sod! But he is always ready to serve the 
captains with anything the shore produces, his boats 
and boys being always at their service. 

We returned to the vessel, as the damp night air 
was closing over all nature. Fires had been burning 
on the beach ever since our arrival ; also, singing to 
rude music, dancing, howling, and gun firing on shore 
every night. Sleep was out of the question. The 



46 Seven Years of a Sailor's Life. 

mosquitoes bit us, the heat oppressed, the wild, horrid 
music annoyed us, from set of sun until daylight. 
One of the boat boys was cut to the bone while at 
play, yet he gloried in his scars, and said that some 
boys were killed with hatchets while engaged in their 
sports. Rough pastime, young Africa uses himself 
to, I thought. 

At day dawn we weighed anchor and set every sail, 
bound to Aden. We had shipped four men to fill the 
places of those we had left in prison. The vessel was 
hove to, off the point, and received Madame Mass, her 
daughter, and a female slave, followed by the cele- 
brated Dr. Ray, of Glasgow, Scotland, a man of sci- 
ence also a traveller. The wind dying out just as we 
came ahead of the largest frigate, the tide carried 
our vessel against its jib-boom. It snapped like a 
pipe-stem, and in an instant all of her head gear and 
our fore rigging was a complete and tangled wreck, 
serious damage to our own and other vessels growing 
more threatening every moment. 



Seven Years of a Sailor's Life. 47 



CHAPTER V. 

A Lively Time — Arab Dirks and Yankee Shooters — '*To Much 
Rumpee" — "All Right, Old Kick-Shins "— Prophetic Dreams 
— On like a Racer — More Swift than Sure — She Strikes the 
Shore — High and Dry — The Beginning of our Sufferings — 
Resignation of Madame Mass — Discovered by the Natives — 
Five Hundred on Board, fully Armed — Submission our only 
Safety — A Sudden Reprieve — We are ordered to the Village — 
Horrible Agony — New York Papers Devoured — Perishing with 
Hungar and Thirst — Desperation of some of the Party — Reason 
Gone — Left Behind — The Dawn of Hope. 

HEN began one of the liveliest times a sailor 
could wish to see. There lay seven men-of- 
war, with hot blooded Arab crews eager for 
the safety of their respective ships, while our strong, 
new barque with heavy anchors on the rail was borne 
along by the resistless tide, sweeping the side of 
the frigate. Swinging booms, boats, gangway-ladders 
and fancy quarter galleries were swept away like chaff 
before the wind. Our passengers were hurried below 
out of harm's way. Our spanker-gaff with all its 
gear, was broken by the frigate's main yard and fell, 
striking our mate on his back. He was thus used up 
for duty, but gave his orders like a brave man. Our 
Captain was in every place where danger threatened, 
and at length we managed to clear the first vessel. 

Into the second we plunged and made smashing 
work for awhile. The rigging of both vessels parted 




48 Seven Years of a Sailors Life. 

like thread. The Arab crew, half-naked, with dag- 
gers in their mouths, boarded us on the quarter, and 
rushed over the fallen mass at the Captain, who, re- 
volver in hand, kept them at bay. Our crew were 
tussling with Arabs forward, and the spars of both 
vessels having released their hold, the ships parted, 
leaving a handful of dismayed Arabs on our deck. 
A boat, pulled by natives, dashed to our side, the 
King's son and the many adherents he always had 
about him, joined the melee. The best anchor had been 
let go, and finally brought us up fair under the bows 
of another frigate. As quick as a cat, the King's son 
and his followers jumped among the Arab sailors, and 
with the terrible jambea in hand, drove them from 
our men. Our Captain and the young Prince clasped 
each other in a fraternal hug, and as soon as the latter 
could articulate, said : 

" I see too much rumpee, Cap'en ; me no see you 
gittee killed ; my men too much fight." 

" yes," said our Captain, " I know the rascals 
are good with the knife, but they are not used to our 
revolvers." 

Nobody was hurt, though many were frightened, 
and a great deal of damage was done to the vessels. 
The Consul immediately came aboard, and all expenses 
and difficulties were satisfactorily adjusted. " Old 
Sides " hurried off to us in his boat and was ready to 
assist. " All right, old kick-shins," cried our Captain, 
as he pulled away, " we'll be out of this in a day or 
two." 

We lay here two days, and having repaired the 






Seven Years of a Sailors Life. 49 

sails and spars, once more raised the anchor to the 
bows, and left the land behind us without any further 
accident. The low islands faded away, the lines of 
green trees being the last objects that pointed out to 
us the island of Zanzibar. We had fairly left that 
half-civilized land, and were about to enter the jaws 
of suffering and sure destruction. The monsoon 
swept us over the clear blue water. The barque had 
every stitch of canvas set that the spars could carry, 
the weather was beautiful, and the lead found no 
shoal water. The passengers chatted, joked, and 
slept under the awning ; read the many books with 
which the cabin was stocked, a.nd all hands enjoyed 
themselves to their full capacity. 

I was uneasy all the time. I helped the mate when 
he picked out the course on the chart, and saw that 
we were rushing on our way at high speed. For three 
nights in succession I dreamed that the barque was 
lost by striking the shore. The ship's company all 
laughed at my fears. 

" 0, that 's all in my eye ; don't you 'spose the old 
man knows the road ? You need not fret about the 
course or tides." 

Such were the remarks that I heard, so I held my 
peace and retired to my berth at eight-bells. As I 
entered the companion-way I cast a long look around. 
Clear blue sky and moonlit water were only present 
to my view. The gaily bounding barque, steered 
true as a die, was rushing like a racer before the 
strong monsoon. All looked safe and right as I laid 
down, and fell asleep. I was having a happy dream 
4 



50 Seven Years of a Sailor's Life. 

of home, when I was thrown from my berth to the 
floor. I arose and heard the cook shout, " Oh, my 
God ! we're lost ; turn out, tumble up." I glanced 
at the clock ; it was twenty minutes past twelve. I 
ran on deck, and saw everything in dire confusion ; 
the clewline and standing gear had snapped, like 
threads, when she struck the reef. 

" Lay up aloft and run the stunsail booms off," 
shouted the mate. 

" Brace back the yards ; down with your wheel, 
and fly about, men," yelled the Captain. 

The pale faces of the passengers seemed ghastly in 
the full moon beams, that fell upon the disordered 
deck. To hope that she would work back over the 
reef, was useless. The ponderous anchor thundered 
its iron chains to the bottom, — the barque was in the 
power of the strong ground swell. Every time she 
struck the hard bottom it seemed as if the blow would 
break the vessel in twain. A long, low line of sand 
was before us, gleaming like a silver thread, and the 
man at the wheel could only steady the barque to her 
death. Anchors were dragged like playthings, and 
in the mighty grasp of the breakers the doomed ves- 
sel was thrown in, on an even keel, far up on the low, 
hard beach. 

Is there any hope of going away from this spot ? 
No. Can a boat live to pass through that towering 
wall of white breakers ? Never. Then here we are, 
and must take our chances for life or death. 

The yeasty breakers combed over our quarters and 
drenched our dismayed crew. A barrel on deck 



Seven Years of a Sailor's Life. 51 

soon had its head knocked in, and the men drank the 
strong black wine to keep up their spirits, and enable 
them to face the danger. Is there any value in rum- 
courage ? Is it not better that the pale cheek and 
steady eye meet the danger and face it? We anx- 
iously watched for daylight, which soon appeared, 
and those whose nerves were strong enough to con- 
template the scene, shuddered at the wild view pre- 
sented. There was no sign of human habitation, no 
vegetation of any kind was visible. Behind us was 
the thundering ocean, and a wild barren country 
ahead. Sand, sand, and dry hills as far as vision 
could reach. The monsoon would blow in shore for 
months to come, and to attempt to force a boat out 
to sea would have been madness. We ate our morn- 
ing meal in silence, our hearts too full of agony to 
talk to each other. 

The grief of Madam Mass and her daughter was 
heart-rending to behold, and Dr. Ray was too much 
terrified to eat, but gathered his valuables into a 
compact bundle. All his rare curiosities, the re- 
sult of years of travel, danger, and explorations of 
inland Africa, must be lost. His electric fishes with- 
out eyes ; his land and water quadrupeds ; his bars 
of red gold, and all the rare minerals, must be as 
nothing to him. Madam Mass led me to her room, 
and with tears in her eyes and heart full of grief at 
the prospect of her fate, said — 

" Here, my lad, find my letters from my husband, 
my little trinkets and most durable dresses for myself 
and child, and tie up some eatables in a handkerchief. 
I know the danger we must run." 



52 Seven Years of a Sailor's Life. 

" What," said I, " don't you want your gold, your 
clothes and other valuables ? " 

" No, I shall have no need of them here." 

I unpacked her chest, and large travelling boxes. 
Splendid bonnets ; cloths of velvet and gold ; silk 
dresses ; silver-hooped skirt ; two bags of gold, and 
all kinds of ladies' articles were thrown in confusion 
on the floor. 

Her valuable papers and husband's letters she 
placed in her bosom. She was a wealthy lady, and 
her daughter was a little lily of a girl, — only twelve 
years of age. Her servant was a young female slave, 
sick, and for the time, useless, and she therefore de- 
sired my assistance, which I very willingly gave her. 

I returned to my room, emptied my trunk of its 
contents and filled it with baked bread, pickles, cheese, 
sardines, and bottles of wine. I then went on deck. 
All the sails were furled except the fore-topsail and 
foresail. These two proved to be our salvation. At 
dark we noticed two naked savages on the beach, 
who, after taking a long look at our situation, ran 
off in a westerly direction, and were soon lost to our 
view. We passed a wretched night. The chance of 
life looked slim to us, and we anxiously waited the 
dawn of day. When it came it revealed to our 
startled gaze about forty savages armed with long 
spears, running up and down the beach, eating the 
fruit that had been washed ashore during the night. 
They scrutinized us a long time, and then the whole 
pack, scattering in different directions, passed from 
our sight among the hills of sand that ran in ridges 



Seven Years of a Sailor's Life. 53 

along the coast. In the afternoon, when the tide was 
low, and the vessel high and dry, some of the crew 
dropped from the dolphin striker to the beach, and 
proceeded along the edge of the water two miles or 
more. We saw them returning before dusk with 
blanched cheek and unsteady gait. They reported 
having seen the wreck of a vessel imbedded in the 
sand ; her spars and long boat on the hill, and numer- 
ous large pieces of coal lying about on the shore. The 
sea-boots and oiled clothing of the hapless crew were 
found in the boat, and the skulls and other bones of 
the men were bleaching upon the hot sand. These 
were mournful tidings, and sad forebodings of our 
fate came over us, when Madam Mass remarked to the 
Captain that it was a French ship, loaded with coal, and 
that every soul on board perished there. Fillemane, 
her daughter, stood by. " What will become of you, 
my darling child," cried the agonized mother. " Oh, 
Captain, I see how it will end. Jesus have mercy on 
us all." 

We lowered a boat over the side; it was stove 
to pieces, the crew barely escaping destruction. The 
strong surf-boat was next tried, and it was hurled 
upon the beach with the men in it ; no power of mus- 
cle or ashen oars being able to force it through the 
breakers. I have seen heavy breakers since that time, 
but none in which such power was displayed, as in 
those whose surf thundered on that desolate shore. 
No eyes were closed that night ; we were too keenly 
sensible of our peril to enjoy the luxury of sleep. 

In the morning the natives began to arrive with 



54 Seven Years of a Sailor's Life. 

camels and donkeys. They were fully armed with 
spears, slings, shields, bows and arrows, and daggers. 
Our Captain called us all aft, and pointing out to us 
the uselessness of fighting that large band of savages, 
said, " Boys, I tell you just what I think, — those 
devils will take, us any how ; we cannot get away. If 
we kill a hundred there will be five hundred more to 
fill their places, and we shall be wiped out after all. 
Therefore, our best course will be to come to terms 
of peace with them ; we had better try to do so, but 
if we cannot get along without a quarrel we must all 
of us die. For my part, I shall do the best in my 
power (here he glanced at the savages who had 
formed a circle on the beach) to save our lives and 
personal property, if there is the first ghost of a 
chance." In this view of the case we all agreed. 

When the savages broke their circle, they rushed 
into the boiling surf, with daggers in their teeth; 
their long black arms propelling their slender bodies 
toward the vessel. The water between us and the 
shore was full of black heads. We could have 
killed a hundred before they reached the vessel, but 
our salvation depended upon keeping quiet, and in 
a short time they had full possession of the deck. 
Three chiefs then approached the Captain and 
mates, with daggers in hand. The officers were 
ready to treat for peace and life, or fight until they 
died. The men's knives were held in their sleeves ; 
handspikes and iron belaying pins were conveniently 
at hand. The brawny cook stood well armed in 
the galley, and even I, myself, had a pistol in my 



Seven Years of a Sailor's Life. 55 

pant's pocket, and a carving knife tucked down the 
back of my neck. A number held their breath, wait- 
ing for a signal for them to spring into the dusky 
crowd. Our fate hung on a small thread. Fare- 
well, home and friends, thought I ; good bye, young 
life, for another world, — when, to our astonishment, 
Madam Mass walked up to the head man, or chief, 
and showed to him a piece of old parchment. He 
looked angry upon seeing it, but through an inter- 
preter told the Captain that our lives were spared. 
That little parchment was a protection from the 
King of Zanzibar, whose will none of these tribes 
dare to disobey. "We showed the chief the English 
flag, and its appearance had a wholesome effect on 
him. Too well they feared the dreaded king, or a 
visit of a man-of-war that could throw their town in- 
to ruin in four minutes, and capture every one for a 
hopeless slavery. Many of the savages being clamor- 
ous for our lives, we began to doubt their kind inten- 
tions, but the principal chief, whom they called " Ali," 
sprang among the hot-headed, tumultuous blacks, 
and with a war-club distributed them helter-skelter, 
right and left. This knock-down argument stopped 
all further outbursts. Our chance for life was good 
for the present, and we were glad of an opportunity 
to breath freely once more. 

How many crews have been placed in our trying 
situation, and have not escaped to tell the tale ? The 
report in the columns of many papers has been, " Never 
heard from." Why ? Because the ship struck a reef; 
all hands were murdered, the vessel demolished, the 



56 Seven Years of a Sailor's Life. 

last vestige of men, vessel and cargo destroyed, — far 
from home and assistance. The wife, mother, and 
friends waited, year after year, for the return of the 
husband, son, or friend they loved so well, whose bones, 
alas, lay bleaching on the shores of some distant land, 
and never should fond eyes behold that loved form 
again in this life. Years of painful, weary suspense, 
glided slowly by, and to them a mystery ever shrouded 
the fate of the lost. They grew reconciled in time, 
when the last ray of hope had expired, and hoped to 
meet their darling on a fairer and a brighter shore. 

By signs the natives managed to impart to us their 
wish that we should find our way to their village, and 
the interpreter, after a long confab with the chief, 
told us to take our valuables and leave the vessel. 
The chief pointed out the direction in which we were 
to go, and immediately his followers began to ransack 
and plunder the barque. It was a splendid prize for 
the natives, and in their eagerness to plunder, they 
exhibited a desire for us to be out of their way. The 
Captain had two loaves of wedding cake, of which he 
could not eat a morsel. I sat down and ate as much 
of it as I thought might last me at least three days, 
then, having drank a bottle of white wine, felt well- 
filled and strong. I pressed the ladies to eat, but 
their hearts were too full of sorrow to do so. I then 
shared the cake and wine among the crew. 

The scene on deck beggared description. It was an 
African hell in all its glory. The savages were saucy, 
and, knowing the advantage they had over us, were for 
taking our lives, while the chiefs were plundering the 



Seven Years of a Sailor's Life. 57 

cabin. We all quitted the ship in haste. My chest 
of wine and food was tumbled over the side, and towed 
to the shore, but was never seen again by us. Every- 
thing that could be moved was thrown to the natives 
swimming in the water, and all that would float was 
pushed to the beach, the heavy articles sinking close 
to the side of the barque. I implored the men to 
leave the gold and take plenty to eat, — but they saw 
no need of doing so, and unfortunately for themselves, 
did not. 

I assisted the ladies ashore, then returned to the 
cabin, secured a box of crackers, a box of cigars, a 
bundle of papers, my pistol, and some tobacco. These, 
together with my wet garments, made quite a load for 
me. The mate was calling to me to come along, or 
I would be killed by the savage plunderers. The 
scene around was fearful. The natives had full 
swing. A bag of gold that was on deck, I threw over 
the side. Jack Bridges caught and saved it, while I 
leaped into the surf, and waded to the beach, all 
the men laughing at my load. Two of the men had 
a box of dollars, both hard at work getting it along, 
and going high up on the beach, they opened it, 
each man taking his part. The bag of gold was 
in charge of the Captain, who looked ten years older 
than he did before the wreck. The empty box was 
buried in the sand, and off we started, the bull-dog 
running along the shore, barking joyously. We left 
the beach, and followed the camels' tracks among the 
sand hills. Night came on. We laid down in the 
sand and slept soundly. Thus passed the first 



58 Seven Years of a Sailor's Life. 

day. The second was the same. We travelled 
steadily all day, toiling under the burning sun, with 
nothing but a few crackers to eat, yet I felt tip-top, 
and supported the delicate girl as best I could. 

What a sorry looking company we were, trudging 
wearily along. The second night we burrowed in 
the sand, and had sweet, refreshing sleep. The third 
day we lost the trail, and many felt their spirits sink- 
ing to low-water mark, when they gazed on the vast 
range of barren hills spread out as far as the eye 
could reach. We had no food, no water, no hope 
of finding the natives' town, wherever it was ; yet 
with true Yankee grit, we marched on with no relia- 
ble leader, and had gone too far to think favorably 
of turning back. 

Now the pain of thirst began to tell upon us. 
The dog panted and reeled as he ran. The weak 
child at my side cried continually, the mate taking 
her under his care. I had a shirt tied up full of 
dollars on my shoulder. " Captain, here go the dol- 
lars," I cried, and down they fell on the sand. 
Others followed my example, throwing away mus- 
kets, letters, and all encumbrances At dusk we 
found an old deserted hut, standing solitary on a flat, 
sandy shore. We ran eagerly to a lake that greeted 
and gladdened our sight, but found it to be a bed of 
salt mixed with desert sand ! The men in their dis- 
appointment tore the hut to the ground. We dug in 
the sand for water and found it, but it was as salt as 
the ocean itself. We laid on the ruins of the hut 
that night, tossing in agony. 



Seven Years of a Sailor's Life. 59 

The fourth day was ■ the same in its character as 
those that preceded it. " Water, Water," was the 
cry from agonized lips. We ascended a rocky hill 
and took a view around. A barren waste pre- 
sented itself everywhere except to the eastward, 
where a long, blue line marked the ocean. We con- 
cluded to try to reach it, and started over the hills 
in its direction. If there had been a blade of 
grass, or even a tree, we should have devoured it. 
That day we walked over vast sheets of isinglass, 
flashing like mirrors in the scorching sun. We next 
came to large, cool caves among the hills, and in them 
sought repose. W^hat horrors of Tantalus did we 
undergo. Every time we laid down, we saw in 
bright visions, our homes, our friends, the well-filled 
tables, and gushing streams of water. When we 
awoke, the terrors of our situation stared us in the 
face, more horrible than ever. 

I had copies of " Harper's Weekly " with me, con- 
taining sketches of the " Lynn Strike." These 
papers were shared among us, and eagerly eaten, and 
with the pictures of home and familiar faces, were 
digested by our hapless company. I tried to eat my 
boot-straps, but my tongue had become so dry that I 
could not swallow. It was high noon when we came 
from the cave, and continued our journey ; when 
night came, we again laid down to suffer for a still 
longer period the pangs of hunger and thirst, pray- 
ing to heaven to relieve us of our misery. The fifth 
day our sufferings increased terribly. We reached 
the ocean late in the afternoon, and found ourselves 



60 Seven Years of a Sailor's Life. 

standing on a high, rocky bluff. The waves beat in 
fury on the rocks, three hundred feet below us. 
There were huge fissures in the cliff, leading down to 
the water's edge, through which the wind blew heavily. 

We laid on the rocks and gazed at the cool, blue 
waters. " Come, Captain," cried Madam Mass, " I'll 
take your hand and Fillemane's, and, jumping from 
this cliff, end our misery." The Captain chose to 
abide his fate. Seven of us scrambled down the 
rocky chasm to the sea, and on turning a corner of 
the rock a sight met our eyes that sent the stoutest- 
hearted man reeling with sickening fear. There was 
lying in ashes, that had burned out years ago and 
yet retained their place, the ghastly, grinning skull of 
a white man ! " Great God !" we cried, " what 
agonies are in store for us !" 

We washed our bodies, and returned to our com- 
panions at the top of the rock. Jack Trull swore 
he must have a piece of raw man, or a drink of dog's 
blood, " quick, and no fooling ; and if you have got a 
barker, Ned, that can pick us off, you are the lucky 
man to die. Ain't you willing to, that some of us 
may live to tell the news at home ? I tell you, Ned, 
I'll stand my hand." Thus with many oaths forced 
from his lips by the desperateness of his condition 
he ran on. I arose from the ground, revolver in hand, 
and pointed at the poor dog. My mute appeal was 
answered by a loud " yes," and, " do it quick " from 
all except the Captain. He embraced the faithful 
animal, then turned his head away from us, and cried 
like a child. The next moment " poor Tige " had 



Seven Years of a Sailor's Life, 61 

howled his last howl. One barrel of the pistol was 
now empty. For whom were the full barrels re- 
served ? 

The dog's throat was cut, and every precious drop 
of blood saved in a tin can. The ladies took a deep 
drink of it, as also did all present except the Captain. 
He cut a piece of meat from the carcass for himself, 
and some for the ladies. * Every drop of blood was 
drank, and the tin lapped clean. The body was 
carved up and eaten, and although raw, it was far 
superior to leather or paper. The next food to pass 
our mouths must be a piece of raw man or woman ! 
The thought was fearful in the extreme. 

The mate and ladies here gave themselves up to 
despair, lying down to die, and imploring us to end 
their misery. Some of the toughest of the party were 
losing their reason. I told the Captain I could hold 
out a day longer, sure. The gold was divided, and 
we left the little party of five, who could go no further, 
to perish by inches. " So help me God, we will send 
you help if we find any," cried the Captain, and off 
we started down the coast. At set of sun we climbed 
a high hill, and as the foremost man gazed with anx- 
ious eyes, he caught sight of a small white speck in 
the distance. It appeared no larger than a white dot, 
it was so far away. It was the loosened sail of our 
barque, flying in the wind. We yelled and laughed 
with delirious joy, and embraced each other with 
streaming eyes. It was the only hope for the lives of 
both parties, but it was miles and miles away. If we 
could reach the wreck we would yet have a chance 
for life. 



62 Seven Years of a Sailors Life. 



CHAPTER VI. 

Plenty of Gold but no Food — A Parting — The Last Good Bye — 
Our Strength Leaving Us — All Grows Dark and I become Uncon- 
scious — Aid from the Natives — " Agoa, Agoa " — At the Wreck 
Again — Arrival of Those we Left Behind — Faithfulness of the 
Slave Girl — Dr. Ray makes Up his Mind — Queer Antics of the 
Natives — Food and Water Found — Councils on Shore — Shall 
we be Killed or Ransomed — Buttered Gold — Dexterity of the 
Negro Women — Our Fate in Suspense. 



iiMN we struggled that night, reaching a deep, 
)/iP|vL dry gully, where two natives' huts stood. We 
yf^\& hunted around for something to eat, and 
found a goat-skin bottle, ornamented with the cowry 
shells strung about it. But, horror ! it was empty 
and dry. Nothing else was found in or about the hut. 
There was a narrow path that led over the hills. The 
cook pointed it out to us and said, " Captain, four men 
and myself will strike off on this path, and we may 
find help before you do. We will do our best for all 
hands." I wished to go with them, but the Captain 
said, " No, Ned, you must hang to us ; you are better 
off than any of us. You are light, young, and keep 
up good heart, and must stay with me." 

The cook had twenty pieces of gold, a pair of scis- 
sors, and to please him, I presented him with my pistol. 
We had been neighbors when we were boys, and the 
ties of friendship between us were strong. He and 



Seven Years of a Sailor's Life. 63 

his four brave companions bade us, " Good bye," and 
started up the narrow path. When they reached the 
brow of the hill, they turned their faces towards us, 
and with a farewell wave of the hand, disappeared 
from our view, forever. No tidings of their sad fate 
ever reached us, and the heart sinks at the thought 
of their probable end. 

Our little party, with bleeding bodies, tongues hang- 
ing from our mouths, and clothes in rags, plodded on 
through the rocky ravine. Sharp stones cut our feet, 
our legs were swollen and blistered by the sun, and 
more than twenty times that eventful night, we were 
ready to lie down and die. 

At about midnight, Bridges and Webster fell upon 
the sand completely gone. The gold made a hard 
pillow for them. They cursed the wretched fate that 
seemed to await them, and began to tear their cloth- 
ing to eat. The Captain and myself kept on. I had 
thrown away all the gold except two pieces. These 
I put in my pocket, where they soon chafed me so 
much that I drew them out and tossed them away. I 
was as weak as a child. 

The Captain was continually moaning for water, 
while we followed the bed of the ravine to the sea 
shore. Can any one conceive of our agony at this 
awful moment ? Softly the moon's rays fell on the 
ocean waves in sheets of silvery radiance. We strug- 
gled to the beach, and rushing into the salt water, 
laid there in a delicious trance. What was death to 
us now ? The ocean refused to swallow us, as wave 
upon wave threw our worn, emaciated forms back to 



64 Seven Years of a Sailor's Life. 

the strand. We drank the salt water until we were 
filled, and laved our parched bodies in the cool liquid, 
remaining for some time in the water. All about us 
was as still as death, with no sound save that of the 
hoarse rolling of the surf, that dashed in fleecy clouds 
on the hard, shining sand. Thus ended the sixth day 
at midnight. 

We rested on the beach sand until dawn. Sleep 
was out of the question. We were fast passing the 
bounds of earthly sleep or hunger, but the demon of 
thirst had us in his iron grip. Oh, what would we 
give for just one draught of water ! " Water, Water ! 
for God's sake," was our piteous moan. We could 
not speak ; our tongues hung swollen and black, from 
our mouths. 

0, the agony of thirst ! Faint, bleeding, and de- 
spairing, we struggled on, and as we turned a corner 
of the beach, the wreck lay exposed to our sight. It 
was all of five miles from us. Our strength was gone ; 
our low spirits came not up, as we looked upon the 
barque, her topsail streaming in the strong wind. 
With a hollow groan I sank down on the beach, 
moaning in agony. The Captain staggered a few 
steps farther, and with his hand on the butt of his 
revolver, sank in his own tracks, his eyes fixed on the 
wreck in the distance. Had we sought to gain our 
object and failed in sight of it ? Must we perish here, 
after struggling so hard for life ? The bright sun paled 
in the sky ; all grew dark about me ; I was in a death- 
like trance, and knew no more. 

How long I remained there I do not know, but 



Seven Years of a Sailor's Life. 65 

when I again opened my eyes I was lying on my back, 
beside the Captain, among the hills of sand. A sav- 
age, with a long spear in his hand, having some of 
our cotton cloth wrapped about his body, stood before 
me. His woman had wet my mouth with water from 
a skin bottle which she carried. The Captain was 
recovering, and after much difficulty sat up and made 
motions to the natives. Taking eleven pieces of gold, 
he gave them to the savage, and pointed, first to me, 
helpless and prostrate on the sand, then to the hills 
lying far back from the ocean. The natives under- 
stood his meaning, and after giving us another drink 
of the brackish water, disappeared in the direction 
the Captain had indicated, followed by the woman 
with the skin of water. 

We remained there in the broiling sun until late 
in the day, when, to our joy, we saw our two lost 
companions appear before us, led by the woman who 
had given the bottle of water to her man, he having 
gone farther back to find the party of ladies, the mate 
and the seaman, who had lain down to die when we 
parted. The two men presented a wretched sight. 
Power of articulation was gone, and the thirsty sand 
drank eagerly the crimson drops that trickled from 
their lacerated feet. We laid on the sand and drank 
water that the woman obtained by digging in the 
sand, and gave to us in little shells. We were but a 
short distance back from the beach, and of course 
the water was brackish. 

At dusk we started for the ship, and cut our feet 
badly on the cuttle-fish bones that lay in heaps upon 



66 Seven Years of a Sailor's Life. 

the beach. We made slow progress, but neared the 
camp of the savages just after midnight. The light 
of the moon enabled us to see everything clearly, and 
the tumult in the tents made by the dusky crowd as 
we approached, was trying to our nerves ; especially 
as we thought that they might despatch us there on 
the beach, and none of us remain to tell our sor- 
rowful tale. But our prospects took a milder turn. 
The chief, " Ali," and a dozen of his followers, 
kindly assisted us along. We were very weak and 
feint. I called out " Agoa, Agoa," — the native's 
word for water, — and soon we were all tasting that 
which we had brought from home, and procured 
by the natives from the wreck. Oh, how I wanted 
to gulp down the pure water, but, for my own safety, 
was obliged to take it only in small quantities. The 
Captain and Webster both had cramps and spasms, 
caused by drinking too much. 

A lot of cotton cloth made us a bed, and we slept 
till the sun was high in the heavens the next day. 
That noon we all went on board the wreck, and 
occupied the berths in the forecastle. The cabin was 
completely gutted, and torn to pieces ; destruction was 
on very hand. As I was bathing my swollen limbs in 
cool water that afternoon, I saw in the distance a 
number of human forms approaching. They came 
slowly nearer, and at dusk we recognized them, as 
the party we had left behind to die. Some of the 
natives, headed by their chief, ran to welcome them, 
and placed them on the donkeys' backs. The cook 
and his companions were not there. Poor fellows ! 



Seven Years of a Sailors Life. 67 

we have had no story of their fate. The ladies and 
the rest of that party soon reached the shore, a*d 
were safely placed aboard. Two of them became 
crazy when they drank of the ship's water. The 
natives lashed the frantic men to the ring-bolts in the 
deck, and watched over them until they came out of 
their horrible agony. The hard, rude hearts of the 
natives were opened by our miseries. The ladies were 
placed in the berths, and every attention shown them. 
The little girl seemed torn to pieces with pain. The 
mother could not speak, but clung to her daughter 
as only a mother can twine herself about one she 
loves. We had doubts about their ever becoming 
well and strong again ; no medicine, no pure and 
nutritious food, no flour or bread of any kind ; noth- 
ing but salt beef, tea and tobacco could we find on 
the wreck ; but in ten days time the ladies appeared 
on deck, and their strength gradually returned to 
them. One of our seamen officiated as cook, while I 
hunted for food. Bread was what we wanted, but I 
could obtain none. 

The little slave girl, young and full of life, bore up 
bravely, under all her sufferings. Being a native of 
Zanzibar, she was not injuriously affected by the cli- 
mate, as were the remainder of our party, yet she 
cried with joy when she found she could have pure 
water to drink. Throughout all our sufferings she 
clung with devotion to Madam Mass and her daugh- 
ter, doing all that she could to alleviate their misery. 

Dr. Ray seated himself on the edge of a bunk, and 
in broad Scotch dialect, declared that all England 



68 Seven Years of a Sailor s Life. 

could not send him again on so perilous a voyage. 
The loss of his valuable curiosities and his experience 
thus far with African life, had combined to complete- 
ly destroy all his ambition to become an explorer of 
unknown countries. Could he put his feet once 
more on the brown hills of Scotland, he would stay 
there, and not risk his bones again in collecting elec- 
tric eels and African gold for the scientific men at 
home to admire. 

The natives now kept away from us, and held 
consultations on the beach every clay. They were 
clothed in cotton cloth pillaged from the barque, and 
many of them were funny looking objects indeed. 
They were rigged out in all kinds of clothing, and 
made a grotesque appearance, as, full of pride over 
their new capture and captives, they strutted on the 
strand. One of the chiefs had on a lady's skirt ; an- 
other a shawl, and over that, cloth enough to make a 
ship's sail. It was a common occurrence to witness 
two natives cut open with their daggers a bale of cloth, 
and each grasping an end of an entire piece fasten it 
to his body and whirl round with a rapidity equalled 
only by the motions of an expert dancer. This would 
continue until a third person interfered, and with one 
stroke of his dagger set the two cotton-wound natives 
free. Both would then run away in high glee, and 
at their leisure disrobe themselves of thek* plunder. 

The twelfth day after we came on board the wreck, 
Jack Trull died, lying in the Captain's arms. We 
sewed the body up in strong canvas, and at night, 
as it lay on the deck, I stood watch over it. I felt 



Seven Years of a Sailor's Life. 69 

very uneasy, at best. The 'savages were at work un- 
der me, tearing the sheets of copper from the hull, 
and I expected a dagger in my back each moment ; but 
the weary night wore slowly away, and the next day 
we took the corpse ashore and buried it. Dr. Ray 
and the Captain read, with great trouble, the funeral 
service, after which we returned sadly to the fore- 
castle, feeling our own weakness, and knowing that 
our lives hung on a slender thread. The next day 
we visited the grave of Trull, and to our regret 
found that the wild dogs had dug the body from the 
grave, torn the stout canvas in pieces, and eaten 
a portion of the remains. As we buried it anew, 
it was not in any way disturbed again ; heavy iron 
and wood keeping off all intruding " coyoties " or 
jackals. Myself and three others were taken down 
with dysentery, but by pounding the iron cable and 
swallowing the rusty flakes, mixed with water, we re- 
covered. 

We had now nearly devoured the small quantity 
of food, and skins of dirty water that the natives had 
given us. The hold of the vessel was half full of 
sea water, and going down into it one day, we found, 
to our great joy, a barrel of pork, a keg of butter, 
and a small bag of gold. I dived three or four times 
for two articles that I spied lying on the bottom, 
and brought up safely a can of oysters, and a pine- 
apple cheese. These were given to the care of the 
ladies. The men returned to the labor of fishing 
up the pork and other articles. I took a piece of 
iron and struck the huge tank amidship, and to our 



70 Seven Years of a Sailors Life. 

great surprise and delight, we found that it contained 
nearly eleven hundred gallons of pure, cool water. 
If the savages had known that we had found it, 
they would have taken it away from us, as they had 
the water in the casks and butts. We contrived to 
draw it off, and hide it in the forecastle, under the 
ladies' berths. We had plenty to read, smoke, and 
drink, and we really began to feel somewhat happy. 

The natives gathered in circles on the beach each 
day, debating whether to kill or spare us for a ran- 
som. They knew something of the value of money, 
and were continually after the " fluse," as they called 
the specie. We covered the gold with butter, and it 
remained on the floor twenty days, the savages often 
walking over it, yet perfectly ignorant of the treasure 
upon which they were constantly stumbling. They 
seized us one day and searched our bodies for hidden 
wealth, but found none upon us. I began to pick up 
their rude language, and before I left the wreck, could 
ask for many little things. They kept watch of all 
my movements, but I boldly stole from them articles 
of clothing, and carried them to my fellow sufferers. 
The negro women often threatened me with the long 
spears, which they threw with great dexterity and 
precision, and I narrowly escaped being transfixed by 
one, that measured fifteen feet in length, and at an- 
other time had the blade of a dagger laid on my throat. 
I closed my eyes, and expected to feel the long sharp 
edge cutting through my jugular vein, but the black 
devil contented himself by throwing me down and 
tearing from my waist the fancy belt I wore there. 



Seven Years of a Sailor's Life. 71 

My chest was broken, and lying -on the beach; my 
garments were trampled in the sand ; a full barrel of 
molasses was capsized and lost ; the boats and casks 
were all stove, and the savages were boiling rice in 
our kettles with the wood thus obtained. I wondered 
how they lived in this desolate country, and before I 
escaped from their villainous hands, I had my eyes 
well opened to African life. The men among them 
were at work day and night, stripping the wreck, the 
younger ones carrying the plunder up among the sand 
hills, and the women loading the camels and donkeys 
with everything that they could lift. The animals 
were driven away in a westerly direction, accompa- 
nied by girls and boys. Only the older persons were 
allowed to wear any clothing. The young people 
were naked, and wore no ornaments except a string 
of amber beads, or a long yellow stick run through 
their ears. All of the natives were covered with ver- 
min, which they soon communicated to our persons. 

Many times did we strain our eyes to catch a view 
of a passing sail. English men-of-war that were sent 
to scour the coast, we never saw. And as our arrival 
in Aden had been expected, and the barque not 
appearing, great anxiety was felt for our safety. The 
husband of Madam Mass had chartered a vessel, and 
manned her at his own expense. They sailed along 
the Arabian coast, but of course could not glean any 
tidings of us, for we were eighty miles south and 
west of Cape Guardifui, among the dreaded tribes of 
the " Soumaulies," the most warlike and cruel on 
the eastern coast of Africa. 



72 Seven Years of a Sailors Life. 

The chiefs still gathered in council, and their weap- 
ons were never out of their hands. Were they 
afraid of our little sickly band, or had the saying 
" dead men tell no tales," reached them, and were 
they about to test its truth by killing us and sparing 
the ladies ? Ah, the nature of these men is not like 
that of the whites, but treachery, malice, hatred, 
cowardice and revenge are predominant traits in the 
character of the native African. The hand that clasps 
your own in the greeting of " Saub, Saalm, Saub," 
may the next hour be reddened with your life-blood. 
It would seem that nothing but the bayonet and bul- 
let can elevate these nations. In a half-civilized state 
of mankind, gentle words and treatment appear to be 
useless. 



Seven Years of a Sailor's Life. 73 



CHAPTER VII. 

The Chief's Watchfulness — The Cook's Queer Barriers of Fat- 
Do They Mean to Starve Us — Slavery or Death — Which shall 
it Be — Our Fate Decided by a Goat — Our Ransom Price Fixed 
— Our Treatment Changed for the Better — The March Com- 
menced — " Old Abdallah " — Mahommedan Prayers — Camel 
Train Met — Green Grass Once More — Arrival at the Well — A 
Feast of Welcome — Preparations to Resume Our March — The 
African Girls Anxious to Rub Noses at Parting — We decline the 
Honor — Five Days of Marching — Our Destination in View. 

A HE chief, "Ali," was a large man, in height 
over six feet, and as strong as a lion. 
His second in command was very tall and 
slender. These chiefs did nothing but watch our 
actions, and harangue the dusky crowd when they 
left their labor on the wreck. They cut the masts 
away close to the deck, after three days of hard labor, 
and this being done, it was no wonder that the " Lady 
Elgin," and other cruisers did not discover us ; the 
savages were shrewd on that point. The falling 
spars struck some of the natives, busily engaged in 
pillaging, and as they were dragged from the rubbish, 
their companions began to belabor them with clubs, 
and rub sand in their gaping wounds, a form of 
"medical treatment" which would not prove very 
acceptable to white men. 

The tumult they made was deafening to our ears, 
and we felt relieved when it subsided. Soon they were 




74 Seven Years of a Sailor's Life. 

again at work demolishing the wreck. They even tried 
to take the few pans and kettles we had in the galley, 
but our new cook, taking advantage of their super- 
stitious dread of grease, hung up fat pork all about 
the place, thus keeping the dusky crowd outside of 
his dominions. They threatened to kill him if he did 
not deliver up the articles, but, safe behind the oddly 
constructed barrier he had planned, he laughed at 
their efforts to dislodge him. Our Captain appearing 
on deck just at this time, the bright buckle of his 
waist-belt caught their sight, and he would have lost 
the bauble, or his life, had he not seized a piece of raw 
pork, and rubbed it on the glittering buckle. 

We had now been on the wreck twenty-three days, 
and were getting tired of such wild proceedings. We 
saw that the negroes intended to starve and worry us 
to death without killing us outright. To become the 
victims of such a lingering torture was what we most 
dreaded, and we regretted that our lives had been 
spared thus long only to meet with so diabolical an 
end. A lingering, starving captivity is horrible. Can 
human beings have the heart to inflict such cruelties 
on one another ? No. They are devils in the human 
shape. We shudder at the fearful outrages that the 
spirit of the arch-fiend, encased in the form of man, 
can impose on his helpless captive. 

We were now all weak and sick ; the very monkeys 
died of starvation. Birdseed, tea, pork, and water 
formed oar every day ration. Our condition was 
daily becoming more and more dreadful. The boat 
of the French ship lay on the sand, about a mile off. 






Seven Years of a Sailors Life. 75 

We tried to get it to the sea, weak as we were, but 
the savages with poised weapons drove us back to our 
place of refuge, and then hauled the clumsy boat far 
up among the sand hills. All hope of escape in that 
direction was thus cut off and abandoned. We prayed 
and hoped for a cruiser to show her white sails in the 
offing ; but none appeared. 

The barque was now completely stripped, and the 
savages held their noisy councils on the beach every 
day. They always had a black and a white goat with 
them, and we understood that if they led the black 
goat from the circle, it was all over in this world with 
the male portion of our party. Being thus subject to 
the caprice of four hundred natives, debating for so 
long a time on our fate, was torture to us. At length, 
after many more days of jabbering and maneuvering, 
they led the white goat from the ring and threw it 
on the deck of the barque. A few natives followed, 
who killed and dressed it before our eyes, then cut up 
the meat and gave it to our cook, taking care to keep 
clear of the pieces of fat pork that kept guard over 
the galley. The voice and arm of the chief " AH," 
had carried the day ; we were to be ransomed for a 
large amount of money and a new sword for each 
petty chief. These terms were ratified by our Cap- 
tain, as soon as he could comprehend the state of af- 
fairs and what was wanted. 

The manner of the savages soon changed towards 
us. Formerly they kept aloof, and were ready to 
put us out of the way at any moment. Now, they 
brought us sugar, rice, clothing, and shoes ; also, 



76 Seven Years of a Sailor's Life. 

boxes of cigars and handkerchiefs. Madam Mass 
had her black dresses and shawls returned to her. 
They urged us to eat the well-cooked meat of the 
goat, and kept about all that day, almost burthening 
us with their attentions to our wants. Such a turn 
of affairs astonished us, and made us so happy that 
we cried with joy. We knew we were soon to leave 
the wreck which had become to us a prison, and 
commence our march for the natives' settlement. 

No rain had fallen in this part of the country for 
four months, and was not likely to, for months to 
come. We knew we should have hot and tedious 
travelling to undergo, but anything was better than 
staying where we were. We expected to suffer from 
want of water, and it might be from many other causes, 
but we must go on to our deliverance. The savages 
left the barque at sunset, and we went to work mak- 
ing canvas belts in which to conceal our gold, while 
the ladies kept watch at the companion way to warn us 
should any native approach. We soon had the gold 
sewed up in the belts, and lashed snugly under our 
armpits and about our waists. The ladies also re- 
ceived their share, which they carefully hid. We ran 
a great risk in doing this, for had the chiefs by any 
chance learned of our efforts to retain the gold, there 
would have been no bounds to their rage ; but for 
once, good luck was on our side, as they did not 
search us after we left the wreck. 

We were allowed one more day of rest ; the next 
morning the natives came and assisted our party to 
the beach. We went first to the encampment, where 



Seven Years of a Sailor's Life. 77 

a scene of the utmost confusion was presented to us. 
I never shall forget the sight; such destruction of 
property I never beheld. All of the barque's furni- 
ture was smashed to pieces ; clothing, flour, sugar, 
and apparel lay trodden in the sand ; the bare hull of 
our floating home was fast burying itself in the shift- 
ing sand, and the paint was turned white by the salt 
spray that had dried where it had fallen, and encrust- 
ed the well-modelled hull. Tears filled our eyes as we 
took a long, farewell look at our once beautiful vessel, 
and followed our guide among the hills which were a 
short distance behind the encampment. This guide 
was a man whom we christened "Old Abdallah," as 
soon as he joined us. He was advanced in years, and 
the only native who was to accompany us on our weary 
march. We struck off on a well-beaten path, and in a 
few hours' time came to the edge of a wide lake extend- 
ing miles across the land. I thought that our travel 
here would end, but the trail we were on led through 
the lake. Without a moment's hesitation, " Old Ab- 
dallah " waded into the water which came nearly to his 
knees, and held that depth the whole way across, with 
a hard, sandy bottom. It was the hardest wading and 
walking we experienced on the whole route. The 
declining sun shone in our faces before we reached the 
opposite shore, where, on the dry, hot sand, our guide 
prostrated himself and went through his prayers with 
great earnestness, showing how firmly and truly he 
believed in the rude forms of the religion he professed. 
Here we had our supper of cooked rice and pork, 
and after a long, quiet smoke and earnest talk, fell to 



78 Seven Years of a Sailor's Life. 

sleep on the sand. The guide had rations of his 
own ; he ate only a morsel, then, with a piece of 
cotton tied over his head, laid down near us and was 
soon asleep. 

The whole party slept soundly that night. At 
break of day we were aroused by hearing the old guide 
chanting his prayer. This led us to suppose that 
he was a Mohammedan devotee, for the other natives 
had never to our knowledge indulged in such acts of 
devotion. We disposed of our meal before the guide 
had finished his prayer, and patiently awaited his 
movements. He took his morsel of rice at a single 
swallow, and started off on the old path, while we 
quickly followed his footsteps. Thus, day after day, 
we travelled over the hot barren waste, under the 
blazing heat of a tropical sun, until each seemed 
ready to sink exhausted to the earth. The water we 
carried in skins began to fail ; the rice was almost 
gone ; the pork was full of sand, and gritted on the 
teeth when we ate the greasy morsel. There was 
nothing to cheer the eye ; it was all a waste of sand 
behind, a sea of sand before. Still the guide kept 
straight on, seeming not to care for heat or hunger, 
and to our anxious inquiry, only waved his hand to 
indicate that we were to go ahead — how far we 
knew not. 

Our little party was fast failing, and slept heavier 
each returning night. Madam Mass, as she laid 
down, drew her pale little daughter to her breast, ut- 
tering no cry, shedding no tears ; it was useless, for 
there was something in her heart that checked all 



Seven Years of a Sailor's Life. 79 

expressions of emotion. The sixth day in the des- 
ert, we beheld a cloud swiftly advancing, and in a 
few moments saw that it was the dry dust raised by 
the feet of camels, approaching us at a rapid pace. 
They passed us at a good trot, laden with plunder, 
and managed by young women. The last " ship of the 
desert," as the camel has been called, halted when it 
reached our party. A young girl jumped from the 
camel's back, and threw two skins full of water to us ; 
also a large bag of raw rice. We drank of the water 
until all were abundantly satisfied, and the skin went 
back to the girl's hands empty. This was the water 
camel, and there were full skins still lashed to his 
pack and hump. The girl exchanged a few grunts 
and words with our guide, mounted without assist- 
ance to the hump of the animal, and slapping him on 
the neck, hastened along after her wild companions. 
She soon reached them, and all were quickly out of 
sight, going over the sea of sand as though they had 
a compass to direct them. 

The next day the guide gave out a glad cry. We 
looked in the direction in which he pointed, and saw a 
line of hills rising above the sand. They were scarcely 
visible to us, but plainly seen by his accustomed eye. 
We could tell, by the way in which he laid his head 
on his hand, that there we should soon find rest. 
" Margi ? " I asked. He nodded. " Agoa," I added. 
He nodded in the same way. " All right," cried 
I, " with food, water and rest, we will be content." 
The mate laughed at my capers, and said testily : 

" Why do you care about the old fool ? he has led 
us out here to die, I suppose." 



80 Seven Years of a Sailor's Life. 

" Recollect, sir," said I, " if lie deserts us we are 
all gone up ; he is our only hope for a safe journey 
to the natives' town." 

" Well," cried he, " if ever I come again to this 
God-forsaken country, I hope to be cooked alive by 
the black tormentors who are masters of this fire- 
place." 

" Don't let us crow until we are out of the woods," 
I replied. " One thing is as sure as a gun, well 
know enough not to handle hot iron a second time." 

" But blast me if I can see any ' woods.' If I 
could only put my eye on a clown-east pine tree, I 'd 
die happy ; but out herein this old hole — " then, 
addressing old Abdallah — "Say, old moke, what 
time does this train start for Bangor ? — He don't 
know anything ; he's worse than a white pine dog." 

The men laughed at this last sally, and faces that 
had been sober and wan for many a day, beamed 
with new hope. Old Abdallah quickened his steps a 
little, just enough to keep well ahead. That night 
we were ten miles nearer the hills, and our spirits 
rose when we thought of once more seeing green 
grass and pure running water. As we lay in the 
sand we heard a strange noise. It came from the 
direction of the hills, and soon we heard camels and 
natives approaching. Old Abdallah hailed them, and 
they came near to us. The company, consisting of 
nine camels and their drivers, halted, and the men 
dismounted from the humps. They had not seen 
the shipwrecked party, and took a long stare at us 
in the partial darkness, then nimbly mounting, and 



Seven Years of a Sailor's Life. 81 

crying "Hah, Kali Hah," to the ungainly animals, 
kept on the same track we had travelled. At the 
end of another day of hard travelling we reached 
the sand hills. The sight of the dry, dead grass, was 
welcome to our eyes, and as we kept on our way, the 
tufts began to look brighter and more refreshing. 
As the night settled down, we ate our share of the 
scanty rations, and laid down on a bed of dry grass. 
It was indeed to us pleasant to arise in the morning 
and find our heads and bodies free of sand. Our path 
led among low hills that the short, dead trees seemed 
to cover. These trees were of many kinds, all small, 
withered, and covered with thorns and prickles. Just 
ahead of us ran a long ridge of high hills, reaching the 
summit of which, we gazed down on the plain below, 
where vast groves of trees, clad in living green, and 
the huts of the natives peeping out from the tough 
and twisted branches, greeted our vision. Down the 
hill we went, and in less than an hour's time, were 
crawling under the short trees, and parting with our 
hands bushes of many-colored flowers and the vines 
that stood in our way. 

Ahead of us were a number of naked girls dipping 
water from a large sand hole, and bearing it away in 
leathern bottles, to their little huts in the shade of the 
groves. They ran to us with glad cries, and then ran 
away from us, as though they were afraid we would 
capture them. Abdallah rushed to the spring and 
filled his water bottle ; then washing himself with the 
water thus obtained, took a long drink, and fell to 
praying with great zeal and fervor. The black girls 
6 



82 Seven Years of a Sailor's Life. 

were soon engaged in bathing the heads and limbs of 
the ladies, and then running to us refreshed us with 
long draughts of cool water. They permitted us to 
drink all we wanted, for which we felt grateful, and 
then throwing ourselves under the cool, dry shade of 
the overhanging boughs, we speculated upon our fu- 
ture prospects. A camel was led out in front of us, 
and made to kneelas though he was to receive a load ; 
the men gathered around and held a curious cere- 
mony over him, keeping his head pointed in an east- 
erly direction. The butcher then stepped to the ani- 
mal's head, and drew his long dagger across the poor 
brute's throat, at the same time bending the head back 
on the hump. The hot blood gushed in a stream 
to the thirsty sand. The neck was severed from the 
body, and laid on the ground ; the body still retaining 
its position, bled for five minutes or more, after which 
the carcass was dressed in quick time, the hind quar- 
ters given to us, and the stomach saved as a royal 
dish for the great man of the tribe. We soon had 
fires on the sand, and the meat, by being held over the 
blaze was about half cooked, and when eaten form- 
ing something of a barbacue for us. This feast of 
welcome was followed by the young girls bringing to 
us little rice cakes spread with sugar. I knew this 
fine reception would soon play itself out, but some 
of the men thought we had arrived in a land of 
milk and honey, and expected to live high, and have 
no more hunger nor suffering. 

Two months were almost gone, and we saw no' 
chance of leaving the country, yet our time of de- 



Seven Years of a Sailor's Life, 83 

parture was near at hand. The chief had a motive 
power in old Abdallah, and in four day's time he ap- 
peared before us, clad in gay-colored garments twined 
around his body and head, the ends hanging down 
and flying in the breeze. Long spears were in his 
hand, and a water bottle slung about his neck. Cam- 
els and donkeys, laden with plunder, were formed in 
a line of march, and tiny flags fluttered from the 
spear heads that were thrust into the loads. The 
warriors slung their weapons and shields over their 
shoulders, and slapped us familiarly on the back, while 
the war drum, borne by two huge negroes, preced- 
ed the party, and thundered its noise over the land. 
The young ladies of color were anxious to rub their 
flat noses against our own, a custom of theirs corre- 
sponding to shaking hands at home, but as the bill 
of fare had been reduced to rice and water, we evad- 
ed the parting blessing. After all the preliminaries 
had been faithfully performed, we started once more, 
and as the little caravan left the settlement far in the 
rear, the drum was hushed, and in quietness we plod- 
ded on our way. After five days of weary marching, 
through high and low land, well wooded with short 
trees and creeping vines, we gazed on our future 
prison. " Ras-ha-foon " was in sight. 



84 Seven Years of a Sailor's Life. 



CHAPTER VIII. 

Reception at the Natives' Town — Our Prison — The Savages mis- 
take Epsom Salts for Sugar — Walking Skeletons — Our Partial 
Blindness — The Seide Boys — The Fishermen's Village — Jus- 
tice as Administered by Barbarians — The African at Home — 
Our Pitiable Condition — A Proposition Accepted — Yankee In- 
genuity Tested — A Midnight Banquet — Ready for Departure — 
A Strong Guard over us — Off. 

) jHJ'N we went through the low grass and sand, 
)^ol&» until we arrived within two miles of the town, 
jjj^^ The caravan was formed anew, and every- 
thing put into shape. The two drummers bearing 
a hollow log, covered with skin tightly drawn, and 
with heavy clubs in their disengaged hands, were fast 
striding ahead. The town soon presented itself to 
our view in its true and native aspect. A large hut 
for the chief, and an unfinished place of worship, were 
the two prominent objects that attracted our attention. 
The low, mat-covered huts of the natives were next 
seen, then the huts of the fishermen, but what pleased 
us most, was the sight of a large boat, hauled up on 
the sand-hills. There was old ocean far in the dis- 
tance, the water like a long, blue ribbon, stretching in 
shining lengths along the high and rocky coast, with 
high mountains on either hand, dry and barren. The 
drum opened its loud and rude music ; the natives 
chanted their wild songs and flourished their long 



Seven Years of a Sailor's Life. 85 

spears, with red flags flying. A crowd of natives were 
seen running to us, armed with every kind of barbaric 
weapon, from the long, sharp-toothed jaw of the saw- 
fish, to the sling and shield ; while many had guns 
and swords. With cries of joy they leaped around 
the slowly moving company, and began one of their 
regular war dances. The people of the caravan 
joined in the hilarity of their friends, and mirth was 
in the ascendant. Every time they came to the end 
of a line, or chant, they all shouted, " Wy-yal," with 
all the power of human lungs. 

Our men laughed at the queer antics they cut, but 
the mirth on our part was checked, when we arrived 
at a large hut, built of rough timber, mud, and grass. 
Into this hut the ladies were conducted, and allowed 
to occupy a small, but comfortable apartment. But 
the natives thrust us into a room about twelve feet 
square, rough in finish, with a hard clay floor to lie 
upon. They shut us in, but as there were loop holes 
through the mud wall, we could see all that transpired 
outside. We saw enough to make our blood boil with 
rage. The savages had plenty of sugar, rice, flour, 
biscuit, cans of meat, and the little extras I had 
with me in the cabin, and were having a grand blow- 
out. They wasted the flour and sugar, while taking 
it out in handfulls. But one thing pleased me, — it 
was to see some of the party fall upon a small firkin 
of Epsom salts, and become pretty well dosed. Bun- 
dles of mats were unrolled, and thus disclosed bottles 
of wine. Boxes of cigars, Dr. Ray's specimen chest, 
flannel shirts, lumps of febacco, dresses, boots, and 



86 Seven Years of a Sailor s Life. 

last of all, the ship's instruments, were unpacked 
and roughly handled by these barbarians. 

Oar rations, consisting of camel's meat and rice, 
were passed to us. For three long weary weeks we 
were confined in that room, fed on rice and water, 
with now and then a cake of hungee-gungee or mil- 
lot, mixed with water, and baked by the sun. At 
length they gave us permission to run at large, and 
cook our own rice, in an old iron pot that they threw 
out to us. We were fast approaching the condition 
of walking skeletons. When we arose, after lying 
down a few hours, we were blind, and were obliged 
to wait considerable time for the blindness to pass 
away. We were also bleeding from the attacks of 
vermin and bites of sand flies, and at night as we laid 
down, the long gray lizzard, so peculiar to this climate 
and place, crawled over our faces and hands. 0, how 
the men swore at the terrible trials they were passing 
through. No wonder they said, " If ever God spares 
us to get out of this, we'll keep from this coast for- 
ever, and tell others to steer clear of the Soumalies.' , 
Strong men wept and prayed, and were helpless. Our 
clothes were torn and dirty, and sleeping on the bare 
clay, afforded an excellent opportunity for the vermin 
to travel over our bodies. 

I now took the liberty of going about the settle- 
ment, and of learning all I could for our welfare. I 
wandered off alone to the " Seide " boys village of 
fishermen. They were the largest, strongest, and 
blackest negroes I ever saw, — a peaceful tribe, pass- 
ing their time in catching the saw-fish and shark for 



Seven Years of a Sailors Life. 87 

a living. In their crazy old boats, that leaked at a 
rapid rate, they boldly met the voracious monsters of 
the deep, and in nearly every instance brought them 
to the land. This little fishing village lies about 
twenty miles southwest of Cape Guardafui, and is 
concealed from sight of the ocean by a high, rocky 
mountain ; but standing at a point near the village, 
the ocean can be seen to the south and east, stretch- 
ing far away. A number of saw-fish saws were on 
large frames, drying in the sun. Some of them meas- 
ured five feet in length. I had a grand opportunity 
to study the habits and manners of these fishermen, 
and was always well treated by them when I entered 
their huts. 

We kept our specie safe around our bodies, and 
fortunately we were never examined. We had seen 
none of the money taken by the natives from our 
vessel since we arrived at Ras-ha-foon. At length 
the chief, " Ali," came from the wreck with the re- 
mainder of the plunder, and five negro captives. It 
appeared that some of his own tribe stole about three 
thousand dollars of the barque's specie, and buried 
it among the hills. The chief found out the thieves 
and money, dug up the cash, and fell upon the party 
when they came to recover their treasure. The chief 
and his followers slaughtered all but five of the 
thieves, and brought the specie and the remaining 
plunder and captives, to his village, where the five 
men, who had often followed him on the war path, 
were sold into slavery for life. 

The Arabs buy slaves of the Soumaulies every time 



88 Seven Years of a Sailor's Life. 

they come from a victorious contest. When the wild 
" Wyhauiess " and Abysinian tribes meet the Soum- 
aulies, a terrible battle ensues; but the last named 
tribe, being " fighting men," generally gain the vic- 
tory. I saw that the women performed most of the 
hard work, and were perfect slaves to the men, who 
had as many wives as they wished. The chief " Ali " 
had nine women in one room, and a number of boys 
and girls. These formed his " family." Two of his 
daughters could handle any three men in the tribe, 
and drive the long " assegie " or spear through the 
round bull's-hide shield at thirty paces. Human life 
is held by them in light esteem, and a captor may at 
any moment dash out his captive's brains. 

We could not get any clothes, or cloth to make 
them of, and had to wear the foul rags that for so 
long a time had been our only covering. We were 
reaching again a fearful climax, when we turned 
our attention to the large dow, or boat, that lay high 
and dry on the sand. We coaxed the chief to let us 
launch it, and after many days he gave his consent. 
It was a mighty job for us poor wretches to get that 
heavy boat to the water. But our ingenuity and 
tenacity of life conquered all obstacles, and in three 
weeks' time the dow was caulked, launched, and rig- 
ged, and lay off the shore tugging at the line that 
moored her. We were patient in all our sufferings 
and privations during the time we were at work on 
the boat. We were all emaciated and worn down 
with fatigue, our hair long and full of vermin, our 
bodies full of pain, and our hearts full of hope one 



^IWJIPI! 




Seven Years of a Sailor's Life. 89 

day and despair the next. What if the chief should 
still hold us prisoners, and not take us away from 
Ras-ha-foon. We could not rise on our persecutors 
and escape in the boat, for we were closely watched 
by the savages when they were awake, and when 
they slept they did so with their weapons in their 
hands, ready to overpower us if we made an attempt 
to free ourselves. We now had had seventy days' 
experience among the African tribes since the wreck 
of our barque, and were quite willing to bring it to 
an end. 

The chief after much palaver and many signs, gave 
us to understand that he would take us away in 
the boat, if the Captain would promise him seven- 
teen thousand dollars more. This modest request 
was granted, it being understood that the chief was 
to have the money as soon as the party were landed 
safe among civilized people. We were glad to es- 
cape on any terms, yet kept our smiles at the credu- 
lity of our captors concealed from the old chief, for 
fear he might distrust us. That night we were led 
outside of the mud palace, and found plenty of meat, 
dates, rice cakes, and pieces of salted shark, spread 
before us. The chief pointed to the food, and like 
ravenous dogs we immediately ate our fill. Oh, how 
good it tasted to our dry palates, and how it aston- 
ished our weak stomachs. The natives stood around, 
spears in hand, and watched us as we devoured the 
food they had prepared. We cared not whether it 
was camel, dog, or sheep, so long as it satisfied our 
terrible hunger. This feast was kept up till daylight. 



90 Seven Years of a Sailor's Life. 

Large fires were built and meat roasted. The na- 
tives also had a feast. The scene was curious to be- 
hold ; they first danced into the hot, red glare of the 
fire, then disappeared in the gloom. This was kept up 
until the dancers reeled off to their huts, completely 
tired out with their exertions. 

At daylight the.whole population, numbering about 
six hundred, accompanied us to the beach, and once 
more, after all our round-about wanderings, we 
could smell the salt breeze from the ocean. Seven 
well-armed natives went to the dow first, then the 
ladies were boated off safely. Our little party fol- 
lowed ; then seven more well-armed men, and the 
chief Ali. The ladies, the Captain, and Dr. Ray were 
taken aft, and the rest of us placed forward of the 
mast. The hold of the dow was filled with copper, 
cotton, tobacco, and iron. Strongly guarded as we 
were, the chief thought there was not enough, there- 
fore he had all of his sons, well-armed, taken aboard. 
The sail was hoisted, the moorings slipped, and with 
wild yells of the savages on shore in token of our 
departure, the dow glided like a shadow away from 
the cursed land. At this juncture we agreed among 
ourselves to rise on the crew, throw them overboard, 
and steer for Aden, improving the very first oppor- 
tunity that presented itself for so doing. 



Seven Years of a Sailor's Life. 91 



CHAPTER IX. 

Our Boat and Companions — One of the Natives Overboard — The 
" Stars and Stripes" in Sight — Delusive Hopes — On the Red 
Sea — Arabia near at Hand — Mocolo — In the Harbor — Old Ali 
caught in his own Trap — He gets the Worst of the Bargain and 
Hurries off to save his Life — Kindness of the Sultan — All our 
Wants Supplied — We begin to Feel like Men — Sights and 
Sounds at Moloco. 



HE boat in which we were swiftly speeding 
from the African shores, was an Arab built 
craft of twelve tons burden, and carrying 
one large triangular sail. This sail could not be 
reefed, but was tied snug to the long yard when it had 
to be reduced. The bottom was clean, and she sailed 
like a witch, notwithstanding she looked so old and 
ungainly. The chief seemed to understand his boat, 
and took the helm most of the time. The crew and 
guards slept by turns, with their weapons at hand. 
The second night out, one of the natives was lost 
overboard. This, however, seemed to be considered 
a trivial circumstance, for the highlands being near, 
the chief 1st him swim for the shore or drown. 
Which alternative he adopted we never knew. 

We were watched sharply by the negroes, who 
numbered double our little band. Our food was rice 
and dates, served out to us twice a day, and a shell 
full of water four times every ten hours. There 




92 Seven Years of a Sailor's Life. 

never was any water lost or foolishly drank. We fol- 
lowed the coast, past the high, rocky Cape, into the 
straits of Babelmandel. The coast of Ajan was on 
our port bow, and when the chief ran the boat for 
the shore, a large collection of huts, neatly covered 
with mats and straw, lay before us. The head man 
of the little town received from our Soumalie chief a 
bundle or two of copper sheathing, and a bale of cot- 
ton cloth taken from our wrecked vessel, then raising 
the sail again, we steered boldly for the open sea. At 
dusk the highlands of the Cape appeared misty and 
dim to our eyes. 

The clow ran all that night before a fair wind, and 
at sunrise no land was in sight. "VVe talked but little 
that day ; our hearts were too full of glad emotion 
to find vent in airy words. Silently we offered our 
hearts' thanksgivings to God, who had made the bar- 
barous chief an instrument to lead us from captivity 
and death. At night we could not sleep, for the crew 
of the boat and the chief's sons kept up a wild and 
noisy chant, so we laid on the cotton cloth and 
watched the stars in the clear firmament, or glad- 
dened our souls with the thought of the swiftness with 
which the dow cut its way through the dark and ruffled 
water. We saw, -by watching the stars, that the boat 
was steered about North East by East, and as the chief 
had no nautical instruments, we wondered how he 
could steer so true, both night and day. Were we 
bound to Arabia to be sold into the hands of a cruel 
master, or were we bound to a white man's town ? 
We soon found that we were heading for the port of 



Seven Years of a Sailor's Life. 93 

Mocolo, in Arabia, a place of which little is known 
to the civilized, or Western world. 

The fourth day after we left Ras-ha-foon, we saw a 
large and lofty vessel approaching us, which, as it 
drew near, we discovered to be a barque. Oh, how 
our hearts leaped when we saw by the rig that it was 
an American vessel ; but the chief had his followers 
ready for us, and a motion on our part would have 
been followed by instant death. Our Captain said, 
" Boys, there is the ' Imaum ' homeward bound. " 

" Yes sir, but it can do us no good, for these 
rascals have their minds made up to kill us if we 
attempt to rise on them." 

" Yes," responded the mate, " if we had anything 
to lay out our strength with, a good handspike for 
instance, we might clean these cusses out." 

Dr. Ray advised us to keep quite still, as the na- 
tives were all prepared to run us through at our first 
aggressive motion. 

The barque swept on with a light wind, about two 
miles from. us. The Captain told the chief he would 
give him anything he asked, if he would allow him 
to signalize the barque. The crafty savage soon 
hushed him to silence by menacing gestures, and put 
the dow before the wind to get away from the barque's 
vicinity. A bright flag was displayed from the spank- 
er-gaff of our countryman. Our flag was there; 
and the sight of the beloved banner filled us with 
new joy. The chief ran up to his yards' end, long 
strips of red bunting, and having thus exchanged 
courtesies, the two vessels rapidly drew away from 



94 Seven Years of a Sailor's Life. 

each other. The chief then patted our Captain on 
his back, as much as to say, " I am mighty glad you 
all kept still, for you know I want the ransom money, 
and did not want you to conquer us." Our Captain 
then patted the chief in turn, and said, " If I don't 
get ahead of you, old coon, I hope you will harpoon 
me with one of your fifteen foot spears, as soon as I 
get ashore." Of course the chief knew not what he 
said or meant, but we all understood his meaning. 

We were now speeding up the Red Sea, having 
sailed more than four hundred miles from our start- 
ing point. 

The next day the brown land of Arabia was descried 
by the watchful eye of the chief. Steering in its di- 
rection, we rapidly drew near to it, and after we had 
eaten our scanty ration, we could see three mountains, 
and a place that at first seemed to us to be a pile of 
square stones. 

The boat sped onward ; the pile of square stones 
took the form of houses, and as our dow turned around 
a long point of land, Mocolo appeared in full view. 
Mosques and minarets towered above the flat-roofed 
houses. Many clows lay at anchor in the calm har- 
bor, gaudily and gracefully painted, each having a 
red flag, emblazoned with the star and crescent, which 
the red flag on our boat did not bear. The dow was 
run near to the streets of the town, and moored to 
another dow. There was a great clamor on the white, 
sandy beach, and soon many Arabs were pulling off to 
us in well-manned boats. The first one that reached 
us was filled with a well-dressed crew clad in turbans, 



iiiif'' i ! ;i v> \ 




f 



WW , !| 



'■Pi 



1 



Seven Years of a Sailor's Life, 95 

jackets and trowsers, and headed by a handsome spec- 
imen of Young Arabia, whose jewelled yathgan, or 
scimetar, hung at his left side. A splendid shawl was 
around his waist, wherein was to be seen a pair of 
richly mounted pistols. Blue trowsers and a heavy 
white turban completed his costume. With a nimble 
spring he soon placed himself amongst us, and then 
hurried to Madam Mass, who received him very cor- 
dially, and producing the parchment from her bosom, 
related her own and our grievances, pointing first 
to the chief, then to us, clad in rags and alive with 
vermin. 

' The chief, Ali, and his men turned many shades 
blacker, while the lady was relating our sufferings, 
and as soon as they could speak, began to tell their 
own story. The young man soon gave them to under- 
stand that he cared not to hear them, and soon had 
the Captain, passengers and ourselves conveyed in 
safety to the beach. 

" How are you, old coon," the Captain cried, to the 
enraged Ali. " I told you, old fellow, you would get 
euchred in the long run. You will be lucky if you 
get back to Africa without the ransom money." 

" Yes, old kick-shins, what will you give, to save 
your neck from the bow-string," shouted the mate, 
as he was being rowed to the landing. 

The cargo of the Soumaulie dow in which we had 
been brought, was seized and taken ashore, while the 
chief and his men were allowed in town, only long 
enough to purchase provisions for their homeward 
trip. This done, they hurried to their craft, and to 



96 Seven Years of a Sailor's Life. 

escape the hands of the executioner, Old Ali and his 
crew, cheated, and raving with rage and mortification, 
set all sail, and at sundown had measured many miles 
of salt water on their outward trip from Mocolo. 

Madam Mass was among friends, and caused them 
to take an interest in us. The place to which we 
were conducted was a large building, six stories in 
height, the residence of the Sultan and his family. 
Streets, houses, bazaars, tombs, people, camels, and 
richly dressed Arabs met our wondering gaze, on 
every hand. No white men lived here ; the proud 
Arab, and the humble negro were the only classes of 
people. We could partially understand the Arabs 
when they spoke to us, and led us to the third floor 
of the western wing of the palace, where a room, cool 
and pure, about forty feet wide and ninety feet long, 
with a fine hard floor, composed of chanaum, awaited 
us. The room had eight Windows, and a richly carved 
closet or wardrobe. The Sultan heard our story, and 
told us to make ourselves at ease and want for noth- 
ing. The head butcher, a hideous looking negro, but 
a master of his trade, soon had a full supply of mutton 
and rice, in course of preparation for our repast. 
Large white jars of cool, pure water stood in the cor- 
ners of our apartment, and a large room on our 
left, with a bath-tub full of water, was ready for our 
use. 

We cared not to bathe until we had had our hair 
cut, and the old rags that for so long a time had 
been our only clothing, thrown aside. A slave soon 
appeared with a large quantity of white cloth, an- 



Seven Years of a Sailor's Life. 97 

other followed with shears, needles and thread, which 
we knew well how to handle. After a most regal sup- 
per of mutton, rice, dates, garlic, and clear cool water, 
we had our surplus hair cut from our heads ; then, 
combs, razors, and soap being provided, we rushed 
into the bath, and with grateful hearts and moistened 
eyes, enjoyed it as we never enjoyed one before. Our 
bodies presented a sorrowful sight ; no civilized man 
would willingly contemplate us longer than for a single 
moment, blistered and blood-bespeckled skeletons as 
we were, laughing with joy at the success of our ran- 
som plan. Here we were among kind friends, and our 
former masters were speeding back to Africa, cha- 
grined and wild with rage. Verily, " it 's a long lane 
that has no turning," and we could truly say that 
we had been snatched from the jaws of hell, and 
thanked God that we were safe from the wiles of 
our implacable enemy. That warm bath-room was 
a heaven below, to our happy little party. No oaths 
were dropped ; no loud talk used ; we felt the sub- 
dued, gentle spirit of kindness and humanity over- 
shadowing us, and we came from that bath, better 
men. The rags we had worn were put far from our 
sight, the cloth was measured off, and in less than 
three hours, every man was clad in shirt and trowsers, 
feeling clean and happy. The remainder of the cloth 
we made into caps and jackets, and employed our 
time and exercised our skill in making them neat and 
well. 

The next morning we saw the ladies and Dr. 
Ray handsomely attired in shawls and full Turkish 



98 Seven Years of a Sailors Life. 

trowsers, with large and gaudy turbans on their 
heads, and altogether quite Oriental in their appear- 
ance. The Captain and mate were dressed in blue 
garments. We complimented the party on their 
grotesque looks, and they complimented, and laughed 
at us in turn. 

Stopping in-doors for three days, we viewed the town 
and scenes around us from the windows, and on the 
morning of the fourth, we went out to enjoy a nearer 
view of the place. Long strings of men and camels 
were winding their way through the narrow streets. 
Houses and shops were open ; the hum of business 
was heard about us, and the stream of camels seemed 
never to lessen. The noise of the loom and hammer 
was heard ; the porters staggered by with heavy 
burdens ; the women, shrouded from head to foot in 
robes of blue cloth, peered out at us from behind 
their heavy veils. Everybody was civil to us, and 
made way for us to walk through the close, narrow 
streets. " How are you, Ras-ha-foon ?" cried Jack 
Webster. " How are you, Mocolo? " echoed Bridges. 
" And how are you, Yankee land ? " I responded, 
" We '11 see you one of these fine days." 



Seven Years of a Sailors Life. 99 



CHAPTER X. 

Dates Brought us — Bible Scenes — Howlers, Contortioners, and 
Lepers — Veiled Women — Arabian Beauty — Camel Trains — 
Mocolo and the People Described — A Mysterious Building — 
The Bazaars and their Trade — The Call from the Minaret — An 
Agreeable Surprise — Opening of the Tombs — A Day of Festivity 
— Gay Scenes — The Bedouins dash into Town — Splendid 
Horsemanship — The Holiday Over — Glad Tidings — Good 
Prospects. 

E returned to the palace, feeling tired, but 
K pleased with our walk. As soon as we were 
^^^ quiet, and sprawled out on the cool chanauni 
floor, two slaves brought to us a heavy bundle of dates. 
These were divided equally, each receiving twenty- 
four pounds. We laid them in the huge, carved 
cupboard, so that each man had his own share to go 
to and eat. 

We constantly saw the old Bible scenes enacted 
before us. A watch-tower capped each of the three 
high mountains ; two women were grinding their 
grain in a hand-mill ; the leper .walked the streets, 
crying " unclean," his body turned from brown, to 
white, or red, in large blotches or spots, the people 
invariably shunning his approach. The howlers con- 
tortioners, and dancers, were on the beach perform- 
ing their devotions, and entering into their religious 
exercises with a spirit that would astonish a Chris- 
tian. Carried away by their enthusiasm, they placed 



100 Seven Years of a Sailor's Life. 

themselves in every conceivable posture, chanting 
all the time, and frothing at the mouth, loud, and 
rude music accompanying their devotions. 

The women were to be seen in the streets in great 
numbers, walking erect and stately, yet, during all 
the time we were there, I saw the features of but one 
Arabian woman. I was strolling away, one after- 
noon, alone, and had toiled through the dusty streets, 
seeing the places of trade and the tombs, when, as I 
came to the wall that ran around the Saltan's tomb, 
I saw a child with his face painted red and green, 
and large hopples on his ancles to keep him from go- 
ing astray, fall over his clumsy drag, and cut his 
face on the ground. I ran and picked him up, 
brushed the dirt from his eyes, and calmed the agita- 
tion he manifested upon finding himself in the hands 
of a white person. While I was thus employed, the 
mother of the child ran to take him into the house. 
I gazed full at her, as I made a " saalam," and saw 
a lithe, brown figure, clean and well-formed, clothed 
in dark blue cotton cloth. Her round, tapering arms 
clasped her child, and with a frightened look, and 
hasty step, she sought the shelter of her house. She 
had a perfectly oval face, clear, regular features, and 
coal-black eyes. A profusion of long, black hair 
fell over her gracefully sloping shoulders ; her eye- 
lashes were stained black with " yokel," in order to 
give a brighter look to the eyes. Her teeth were 
white and regular ; bands of pure gold were on her 
arms, little silver hoops in her ears, and I thought 
that if all the Arab women were like this one, Arabia 
had its share of female beauty. 



Seven Years of a Sailors Life. 101 

Hundreds of camels and donkeys were constantly 
passing from the town to the interior of the country, 
and others arriving with skins of water, bundles of 
grass, wood, gums, clay, fruit, and vegetables. The 
water is placed in large jars, holding sixty gallons, 
and thus kept cool. These jars are made in the 
town, and quite a traffic is carried on in shipping 
them to other countries. 

Mocolo contains two mosques, three minarets, two 
public houses, two large tombs, and, as near as I 
could judge, two hundred houses, and bazaars. 
Their watch-towers, as seen in the engraving, over- 
look the whole, and from them warning is given of 
danger on land and sea. It has a good harbor, filled 
with Arab dows, from nine to a hundred tons bur- 
den, well armed and manned. Two large dows 
were being built on the beach when we were there, 
and a pile of cannon lay near the cemetery. The 
men of the place are well dressed in embroidered 
jackets, bournese, and caftans ; gay turbans and wide 
trowsers. Many of them wear sandals ; others, yel- 
low shoes turned over at the toe. A thick and costly 
shawl is frequently worn about the waist, wherein 
are thrust the ugly jambea, and long, costly pistols. 
Their matchlock guns are nearly nine feet long, 
and the barrels banded with many silver rings. Their 
chief pride is in their horses, which are pretty and 
smart enough, but never trot. They run with the 
swiftness of the wind, but only when danger presses. 
Next to their horses they glory in their arms, the 
scimetar they use being a splendid specimen of bar- 



102 Seven Years of a Sailors Life. 

baric skill and taste. The higher grade of people are 
easily known from the lower class, by their costly 
weapons, and the rich quality of their dress. 

Dogs, cats, goats and sheep are common. The lat- 
ter were known as " fat-tailed sheep," and had an 
abundance of wool on their bodies. If Barnum could 
have possessed the great goat of Mocolo, he would 
have astonished everybody. He was five feet in height, 
and for safety was chained to strong posts. Every 
animal that passed trembled in fear of the monster. 
Three negroes had constant charge of him. One of 
our men exclaimed, " Well, sure it is a goat, but I 
thought it was an elephant." 

The tombs are splendid structures, and have been 
built many years. The larger of these has a dome cov- 
ered with bright metal, which flashes in the sun, and is 
an object of constant care and devotion. Thousands of 
small fish swim near the beach, the fishermen taking 
large quantities in nets. These fish are strung on 
wires and held over the fire until they are thoroughly 
cooked. When salted, they are delicious, resembling 
the sardine or capelan, and are much sought for by 
the keepers of the side bazaars, who sell their goods 
to purchasers who stand outside. The bazaars are 
well filled with various articles ; rice, eggs, bread, fish, 
garlic, shells, dates, ostrich feathers, and eggs, mil- 
let, dourrh, ghee, (the native butter) and oil, being 
the principal articles of trade. Side shops can supply 
gold, precious stones, knives and pistols, clothing and 
leather work. A large building in the town, from 
the dome of which great quantities of smoke poured 



Seven Years of a Sailor's Life. 103 

forth day and night, was wholly tabooed from Yan- 
kee curiosity, and we were never permitted to see 
its interior. - 

Every morning before the break of day, the " muz- 
zimen," from the upper railing of the high minaret, 
chanting his prayer in a loud, steady voice, called 
the faithful from their homes to the divine service in 
the mosque. Our men aroused themselves as his so- 
norous tones reached their ears, and cried to each 
other, " Say, Bill, Jack, and Ned, don't you hear him 
calling the watch ? Eouse out, the Dutch have taken 
Holland, and the wind can't blow." " Say, old fellow, 
how many bells is it ? " asked an anxious one, going 
to the window. " Come out of that," yelled another, 
" the chap is saying mass for you ; look at the young 
mokes filling up the bath tub." This allusion was 
made to the slaves filling the great tank in which the 
Mohammedans bathed before entering the church. 

That day the Sultan sent horses for us to ride. 
The ladies and one of our men gaily dashed away, on 
the splendid steeds,, closely followed by a number of 
black grooms, well mounted. The King of Zanzibar 
never forgot "the young Yankee who rode the horse 
that none other dared to ride, until the noble animal 
was under complete control. The Sultan of the 
town had thus shown his courtesies to us, but we 
dared not risk a fall from a flying animal, and were 
thus obliged- to forego that pleasure ; but at dusk the 
steeds bore safely back the riders, who were all well 
pleased with the day's sport. 

One very hot day the tomb of the royal family was 



104 Seven Years of a Sailor's Life. 

opened, as were also the smaller ones, and the town 
was given up to rejoicing and festivity. Crowds of 
natives in gay costumes paraded the streets. The 
children were hideously painted. Mimic battles were 
fought, flags streamed from all prominent places, and 
the cannon that were mounted, belched forth their 
sharp and loud thunder. The women had their arms 
and ancles banded with gold, the invariable thick veil 
covering their faces. Horsemen galloped about on 
fretted steeds, the long gun strapped on their backs, 
and hands full of colored flags. Throngs of men, 
women, and children filled every place; the desert 
wanderer was there, the merchant, the sailor, and 
the slave. Howlers and dancers out-Sid themselves ; 
sweetmeats and fruit were on every hand. The day 
was still further honored by the appearance of about 
two hundred wild Bedouins, who dashed into the town, 
firing their long guns, and whooping like loose devils. 
They came to pay their annual visit to the Sultan, and 
were a rough-and-tumble set of men, all riding noble 
horses, which they managed with skill and ease. 
These warriors spent the night in the caravansary, 
and quietly returned to their desert homes on the 
morrow. We went back to our room quite satisfied 
with an Arabian holiday. 

The harem- of the Sultan was in the same build- 
ing in which we were located, but we never had an 
opportunity to see his wives. We had drank noth- 
ing but water for many months, and, although in a 
coffee bearing country, we had none offered to us. 
Though we could not. complain, for we had been 



Seven Years of a Sailors Life. 105 

treated like brothers, yet we were getting weary of 
our mild and easy form of captivity. We felt like a 
person who had completed a visit and wished to go 
home, yet did not want to inform the kind host to 
that effect. But we had recovered our strength and 
cleanliness, and felt grateful for the kind treatment 
so generously lavished upon us, and did not wish to 
be an encumbrance to the Sultan. 

Week after week had glided away, and yet no men- 
tion had been made of our quiting the country. We 
were the first white men that had stopped in Mocolo 
for many years, and so long as we conducted our- 
selves with propriety, we were welcome guests. At 
length as we began to grow more and more weary of 
the monotony, the Captain told us he had made a bar- 
gain with the Sultan to have us conveyed to Aden, in 
one of his own dows. This was glad news to us, and 
we felt really happy at the prospect of soon being 
among men of our own color and manners. Another 
lot of dates was given to us, and leaf tobacco in abun- 
dance ; also one long pipe for all of us to smoke. 
The gold which we had brought in our belts was 
taken in charge by the Captain, yet we cared nothing 
about it, so long as we had a plenty to eat, and were 
advancing to freedom and the comforts and blessings 
of a civilized life. 



106 Seven Years of a Sailors Life. 



CHAPTER XI. 

Thoughts on Leaving Mocolo — The Boat and Escort — Loaded up 
— Farewell to our Dusky Friends — A Good Bill of Fare — Aden 
in Sight — Our Raptures on Seeing an American Ship — All Hail, 
Stars and Stripes — Passing up the Harbor — Joyful Meeting of 
Madam Mass with her Husband and Friends — Ashore — Speech 
of the Captain of the Guide — The Sailor's Boarding-House at 
Aden — The Hindoo Landlord — Rough Scenes and Tough 
Scenes. 



HE large dow of the Sultan lay in the harbor, a 
gaily painted craft with a carved figure-head. 
She carried two masts, one large spar for the 
mainsail, and a small one near the stern to spread 
more sail when the wind was light. We were anxious 
to be on our way, and heartily cheered the Sultan 
when we saw him leading the ladies to the beach, in 
order to conduct them to the dow, in his well-manned 
boat, which in four trips placed aboard our little party 
and twenty Arabs. The Sultan's son and attendants, 
the crew, the cooks, and slave boys, together with six 
sheep, and provisions, tanks of water, wood, and a 
large iron kettle, making a heavy load for the dow. 

The flags were flying from ship and shore ; the Sul- 
tan waved his -hand to us, and we cheered with all 
our power ; the moorings were slipped, the triangular 
sail hoisted and trimmed, and the dow, keeling over 
with the strong wind, rapidly left the harbor. A long 
copper cannon on our boat, was loaded and fiued as 




Seven Years of a Sailors Life. 107 

fast as the gunners could pick up the piece and lash 
it anew ; for every time it was discharged, the force of 
the recoil burst the rope fastenings, and the gun came 
end over end into the boat. They made out to fire it 
nine times before we had gone a mile from the har- 
bor, and then, tired out with the hard work, they 
allowed the piece to lay where it last fell. 

All hands turned to look at the town we were fast 
leaving, and to wave our hats and turbans to friends 
on the shore. Farewell, dark but kindly faces, and, 
good-bye, hospitable town ; may peace and plenty be 
at your doors. Mocolo ! Farewell. 

Gaily we bounded along the shore. There were 
two or three native dows coming down the coast, 
beating against the wind. These dows sail well, but 
cannot lay up to the wind like a Yankee schooner. 
They sail fast enough running before the wind, but a 
schooner would make three feet to their one, when 
beating to windward. Soon after the great kettle was 
placed in the bottom of the dow the cook had a sheep 
killed and dressed. Mutton, rice, dates and coffee, 
formed the bill of fare during the whole trip of four 
days. The coffee was served in little earthen cups ; it 
was black, strong, and without sweetening, and after 
taking a small portion, we greatly preferred water, 
not having been accustomed to taking coffee in Arab 
fashion. The tobacco was excellent ; the Arabs 
smoked their long pipes and took solid comfort. They 
did not hinder us from going anywhere on the dow, 
and they and ourselves were on the best of terms 
during the voyage. We had plenty to eat and drink, 



108 Seven Years of a Sailors Life, 

time to sleep and smoke, and as the dow was making 
good time over the water, we were perfectly content. 
The full moon at night shed its pale light over the 
sea ; the days were healthy though hot ; and the wind 
strong and fair, wafted us right merrily to our des- 
tined port. 

As the sun was setting the fourth day after we left 
Mocolo, we had the pleasure of seeing the high and 
rocky mountains that encompass the town of Aden. 
The long night wore away, and daylight brought us a 
view of our surroundings. We were near the lofty, 
towering hills ; the surges of the Red Sea lashed the 
rocky shores, and our gallant boat that had borne us 
safely, scattered the spray in showers from its low, 
lean bows. 

Soon the shipping lying at anchor burst upon our 
sight, and we neared it rapidly. The vessels were 
setting their colors, at the crack of the sunrise gun, 
and up from a large ship ran a ball of bunting. It 
broke, and the glorious flag of freedom was displayed 
to our tear-dimmed eyes. We cheered, the Arabs 
cheered, and all cheered together. The crew of the 
ship dropped buckets and brooms, and ran to the 
rail, to gaze on the few white men among our crew of 
dark-hued Arabs. 

Our Captain shouted to the ship, " Crew of the 
wrecked barque, Guide ; " and then, as we swept past 
them, the sailors sprang to the rigging and cheered 
us lustily. I glanced at the ship's name, and .can 
never forget the feelings of joy that filled my heart as 
I read, " Ocean Monarch, New York." What a 



Seven Years of a Sailor's Life. 109 

pleasure it was to know that we were so near our 
countrymen. There was the flag of our native land 
dancing in the breeze, and farther up the harbor was 
another Yankee ship. 

On we went, passing English, French, Russian and 
Hamburg steamers, men-of-war and vessels of all 
kinds. Suddenly the rudder of our boat became un- 
shipped and floated away with the strong tide. Two 
of the Arab crew jumped overboard, recovered it, and 
then secured it to its place. The men-of-war boats, 
with long sweeping oars, plyed between the steamers 
and the wharf, their straw-hatted, blue-collared crews 
staring in surprise at us, while the negroes on the 
coal-lighters dropped their tow-rope, and looked on in 
wonder. The songs of the sailors, as they worked the 
brakes of the windlass, or sheeted home the topsails, 
fell joyously on our ears. How gay we were ; all 
suffering and care lay buried under our glad excite- 
ment. The houses and hotels on the shore next came 
in view, and all around was life and bustle. Vast 
piles of English coal met our gaze, and far up the 
harbor, a little island was fairly buried under it. 
Heavy batteries were mounted on the sides of the 
mountains, and signal stations ornamented their 
tops. 

The dow soon came to anchor, and our Captain land- 
ed. Anxiously we awaited his return, and when we 
saw him approaching with the Consul and other white 
men, we felt that our wanderings were at an end. 
The shore party were quickly boated off to us, and 
among them were the husband and family of Madam 



110 Seven Years of a Sailor's Life. 

Mass. Words cannot express the deep emotion which 
stirred their hearts, and they cried with joy, to be 
once more folded in loving arms. The gallant 
Frenchmen greeted ns kindly, and invited us to call 
on them if we were in want. Our Arab friends 
watched all the proceedings with great interest, and 
after taking a week's recreation in Aden, they re- 
turned to Mocolo, but not empty-handed, as the Con- 
sul generously rewarded them for their trouble, and 
kindness to us. 

We were taken ashore, and Madam Mass and 
daughter shook hands with us all before entering 
their carriage. They thanked us kindly for the 
assistance we had rendered them during our long and 
sad experience, desired us to remember them if at 
any future time they could be of service to us, and 
wished us a safe and pleasant voyage home, and 
happy meeting with all our friends. 

It was upwards of half a mile to the public house, 
but we soon reached it, and with light and happy 
hearts, entered its cool halls. The chocadores, or 
native police, watched us with a considerable degree 
of interest, and the many ladies and gentlemen stop- 
ping at the hotel, half laughed as they looked upon 
us through their eye-glasses. The Consul had a 
bath prepared, and a native soon approached us with 
a good supply of clothing for all of our party. Pres- 
ently the Captain and mate appeared before us, clad 
in neat citizens' dress, and looking finely. They 
waited until we all were clothed in our new suits, 
and the Captain then said, — 



Seven Years of a Sailor's Life. Ill 

" Boys, the mate and myself intend to go to the 
States by way of Alexandria, Marseilles, and South- 
hampton, in the steamer that sails in less than a 
week, and will take home any letters you may wish 
to send. I shall pay you all off to the time the ves- 
sel struck the beach. I have secured a good board- 
ing-house for you, and the Consul is at hand to aid 
you when you need his services, but I advise you to 
get a homeward bound ship as soon as you can." 

He then paid us off. My own share was thirty-six 
dollars, and all of us were content and happy. The 
Captain then conducted us to a boarding-house, kept 
by a Hindoo named Marker, and left us to do the 
best we could for ourselves. 

We entered the domicil and saw that they were 
preparing dinner, which was soon ready. Strange 
faces we met at that board, and drunken sailors who 
came rolling in to their places at the long table. 
Eggs, bread, sardines, liquor and meats were before 
us. The knife and fork were held in my hand the 
first time for one hundred and twenty days. I had 
forgotten many of the rules of society, and made sev- 
eral blunders. The other men of the party loudly 
called out, " Trot them spuds down here. Hurry 
up that soft tack. Say, Jim, or what's-yer-name, 
chuck the beef along this way ; do look alive for once, 
man." Others were still, and busy with their food. 
The water, served in thick tumblers, was cool and to 
us delicious. The cigars and pipes were in full blast 
as soon as the men had finished their hasty meal. 
Papers of English, French, and Hindostanee print, 



112 Seven Years of a Sailor's Life. 

were about the room. The beds in the chambers' were 
only such in name ; wash basins and towels were 
scarce, and loud and hard words were heard on every 
side. 

That night as the men were around the table, play- 
ing cards and smoking their pipes, the door opened, 
and a bulky individual, a little the worse for liquor, 
staggered in. He called for sardines and wine ; and 
having had his fill, he brought his clenched hand 
heavily to the table and shouted, — 

" I am the bully mate of the * Deleganie,' show me 
the man I can't whip." 

He then glared around the room, and observing a 
little Frenchman that sat near me, he addressed him 
in a harsh and insulting manner. " You go away, 
or you get hurt," calmly replied the little steward. 
The drunken fellow advanced, as if to crush the 
spunky little man, who met him with a quick blow, 
fair in the mouth, felling him to the floor. " Get 
up, and go aboard," said the steward, and raising him 
to his feet, he hurried him into the street in quick time. 
The " bully mate " never showed his ill-used features 
in that house again, and the little steward was voted a 
good fellow. Boxes of sardines and rolls of bread were 
then produced, and noisily washed down with strong 
" Old Tom." 

Why is it that a sailor will, in eight cases out of 
ten, become drunk as soon as he gets where there is 
liquor ? Are these men hardened, or is it to prop 
up a false courage that they indulge in this soul- 
degrading habit ? A great many think they are not 



Seven Years of a Sailor's Life. 113 

sailors if they are not able to toss off a stiff glass, 
smoke, chew, and roll out big oaths. They have an 
idea that it is manly, and raises them in the estima- 
tion of a sea-faring community, while at the same 
time its tendency is to lower them in the eyes of their 
superiors and their more intelligent shipmates. In 
some deep-water ships there are good, upright men ; 
humane and brave. These study hard, keep a good 
character, and rise to position, while the slip-shod, 
drunken men, who go in for a good time, are always 
found in the long boat, and leading their old, careless 
lives, — " a gentleman for a day, a dog for a year." 
Thus they go on, until they hear the watch called for 
the last time in this world, and, with their faces to 
the wall, have plenty of time to repent of misspent 
lives, and of having thrown away the golden chances 
within their grasp. But come, chum, the air is too 
close here, — tobacco fumes, old torn, and curses are 
plenty ; let us get a mouthful of fresh air. 



114 Seven Years of a Sailor's Life, 



CHAPTER XII. 

Respectable Again — A Tropical Rain — All Afloat — Stampede of 
the Boarders — Houses in Ruins — A Welcome Letter from 
Home — Parting with our Captain and Companions in Captivity 
— What is to be Seen at Aden — An Enraged Native — Donkey 
Tricks on Sailors — A Curiously Tattooed Arab Girl — Passports 
Obtained — W T e Ship for Bombay — A Good Berth — Preparing 
to Leave Port — Ostrich Feather Merchants — One Trick of 
Many. 

% 

NOW began to feel like myself, once more a 
man, and in respectable trim, — with my two 
suits of cotton clothes, my face smooth, and 
free from all traces of my long captivity, and my 
health fully restored. As soon as possible 1 hastened 
to the wharves and endeavored to find an opportunity 
to ship for home, but among the numerous craft that 
lined the bay, none presented itself, and at night 1 re- 
turned to the house and found my dog-bed in an upper 
room. I had not remained there long before I heard 
the pattering of a steady pouring rain upon the flat 
roof. This was the first rain I had known for more 
than five months, and I put my head out of the 
window, to enjoy the cooling shower. Soon I was 
startled by the voice of Bridges, who shouted, — 
" Ned, are you awake ?" 
" Yes, I am, and here at the window.'' 
" Well," said he, " if this rain keeps on, you will 
see the devil played in this town." 




Seven Years of a Sailor's Life. 115 

" Why," said I, " what harm can rain do ? I am 
glad to see it come." 

" Don't yon know," he continued, " what the Bible 
says about houses built on sand ? Whew, how it 
comes down ; sounds as if the whole mill-dam up 
aloft had burst. The rainy season has set in, and 
1 'm for getting out of this shebang, plaguy quick." 

1 struck a match, and soon had a luminary in my 
hand. We dressed and hurried down stairs, opened 
the door and looked out. Solid, white sheets of 
water, were falling from the heavens. 1 turned to go 
back, and tumbled over a drunken sailor, lying on the 
floor, buried in a deep sleep. 1 roused him, and laid 
him on the table. On going into the front room, we 
found the boarders lying about at random. 

41 Come, Marker, why don't you lead us out of this 
old trap, the walls will be coming down soon ? " yelled 
a half-tipsy man, as he pushed his mat of hair from his 
eyes. 

" Yes, me go, me tink me house come down. 0, 
dam, dam, see de water come in," answered the half- 
crazy Hindoo, and ran off to pack up his household 
goods, and save his little property. 

When daylight appeared, there were no signs of a 
breakfast, or of a move to get any. We rolled our 
clothing in small, hard bundles, and ran for the large 
hotel. Native houses were falling in ruins at every 
corner we turned ; verily, the foolish man had built 
his house upon the sand, and was reaping the conse- 
quences. The braying of donkeys, and the cries of 
men and women fell on our ears, as we went to the 



116 Seven Years of a Sailors Life, 

hotel. We waded to our waists, in a rolling stream 
of yellow water, bearing dead poultry, animals, and 
all kinds of household rubbish upon its surging sur- 
face. After tumbling down, hurting our feet, and 
meeting with sundry other mishaps, we at length ar- 
rived at the strong hotel, built on a sure foundation 
of rock. Still the solid rain poured upon the town, 
ran down the sides of the rough mountains in broad 
rivers, and we gazed with awe upon this tropical 
deluge. The hotel was filled with men and women, 
of all descriptions, and the other large buildings 
were equally crowded. The ships in the harbor 
filled their tanks ; the reservoirs were overflowed ; 
camps and roads washed away, and the damage done 
to the main highway alone amounted to many thous- 
ands of dollars. The famous Turkish wall was broken 
and tumbled down ; many animals were killed and 
drowned, and one hundred and forty natives' houses 
lay in ruins. Thus much for the greatest rain that 
had fell on Aden for seven years. 

The day after the deluge, as I sat on the hotel steps, 
I saw a native on a camel, wading towards me. He 
made his " salaam," and handed me a letter. I looked 
at the address, and fairly yelled with delight, — it was 
from home ! I paid the messenger well for his trou- 
ble, and he said, " Capen and de missis go munyana, 
in de big smoke boat." " All right," said I, " I '11 be 
there to bid them good-bye ; my respects to the par- 
ty," I hastily added, and ran away from the crowd, 
that I might read my letter in quietude. 

Good news to an absent son! A mother's love 



Seven Years of a Sailors Life. 117 

and kind advice ; a father's warning, and a soldier 
brother's manly greeting. And this little missive had 
travelled land and sea, for three months to reach me. 
0, kind letters from home, — they are the life buoys 
that keep a wanderer's soul above the deep waters of 
crime and despair. The tie that binds heart to heart 
grows stronger as farther and farther the wanderer 
speeds from home ; and these messages of kind, anx- 
ious friends, keep a man in his path of duty, and ever 
looking forward to the time of a safe return, and a 
happy re-union with those he loves. 

The barque had been expected home the month that 
I received the letter, — but to us it seemed as though 
we were yet on our outward voyage, still going on- 
ward, with no idea of reaching the United States for 
months. I penned a long letter, stating the particu- 
lars of our wreck, captivity, and safe delivery from 
the power of the blacks. I went in a " dingy " to 
the steamer, saw the ladies and our three male com- 
panions in captivity, had a talk with the Captain, and 
gave him my letter. Then with a full heart, and a 
warm and strong farewell grip of the hand, I left them, 
never more to meet in this world. The officers safely 
reached the States. My letter, and one written by 
the Captain, were alike on most points, and created 
much excitement at home, and in mercantile circles. 

While in Aden I was fond of visiting the little wharf 
at which the passengers and tourists landed, and of 
watching them as they indulged in their many whims. 
Here was a gay French lady and consort, bargaining 
for a pretty gazelle, held by an Arab boy ; an indul- 



118 Seven Years of a Sailor's Life. 

gent father buying fruits, comfits, and little toys, for 
the pale, well-dressed children at his side. There 
was the seeker after curiosities, turning over lumps of 
pure, branching white and colored coral. There the 
English ladies, in flounces and silks, chaffered with 
the ostrich feather merchants, and besieged by beg- 
gars asking for " buckshees." Sailors and soldiers, 
Arab and negro, civilian, and men-of-war men, all 
mingled and talking, — the donkey boys leading up 
their animals; the " chocadores," or native police, 
clad in blue, with yellow and red turbans ; and, amid 
the noise of the escaping steam, the chants of the 
lighter gangs as they moved the huge barges, formed 
a busy and most interesting scene. 

The high power of the English is manifested in 
every place the traveller visits in the Eastern world. 
By the power of cold steel, muscle, and gunpowder, 
the barbarous nations feel the power of Mr. John 
Bull, who handles the natives roughly at first, and 
then smoothes the victory over with missionaries and 
trade, to the end, that his own interests may be ad- 
vanced. The English farthing is converted into the 
hard rupee. Their men-of-war fill the natives with 
fear. English cannon planted on the commanding 
points, and English laws established in the courts, 
keep the natives in awe, while the red banner of 
Britain flies from every place where a shilling can be 
made. 

We proposed mounting a donkey, and going to the 
city for our passports. We found one in good trim, 
and ready for the jaunt. We were soon astride ; and 




s 



Seven Years of a Sailor's Life. 119 

the driver, a half-naked boy, with a sharp stick in 
hand, beat the donk' into a swift gait. Off we went, 
passing the police station, where a native was striking a 
gong to inform the people of the time of day, and soon 
reached a good, substantial, and well-kept McAdam- 
ized road. We were not long in arriving at the Half 
Way House, at which we dismounted to obtain a cool 
drink of lime-juice, and a few cigars. Soon a crowd 
of jolly man-of-war's men hove in sight, laughing, 
shouting, and apparently bound to make the most of 
their liberty. We enjoyed our smoke, while they 
went into the house to indulge in tamarind, and 
lime-juice drink, or a glass of rum. Out they soon 
came, each one with a cigar in his mouth, and hard 
rupees in his pocket. The drivers had been well 
paid at the Half Way House, but it was the part of 
wisdom for all novices in donkey riding, to keep their 
eyes open. The animals were running with all 
speed. " Where are you bound to ?" " Take care, or 
I '11 run you down ! " " Hard a port, you lubber," 
and " Steady as she goes," were a few of the excla- 
mations we heard. The donkeys knew well the part 
they were to play, and as we neared the long and 
muddy ditch that lay on the side of the highway — a 
nice, soft place in which to throw a rider, and not 
kill him, — the mysterious words were yelled from 
the throats of the panting- drivers, and the animals 
stopped and wheeled about as quick as a wink. 
What a collection of stars, flying men, and dry mud 
was then to be seen. There we were, in the ditch ; 
and away went the donkeys and the drivers back to 



120 Seven Years of a Sailor's Life. 

♦ 
the port. There were some lucky ones, however, 

who held fast to their animals, as they knew of 

these tricks. 

We got up as best we could, and proceeded on the 
road through the guarded gate and fort, where the 
Sepoy soldiers, in red coats and cross-belts, stood 
leaning on their muskets. Heavy cannon displayed 
their iron lips through the embrasures ; the shot was 
neatly piled up near the gun carriages, and all seemed 
in good order, and ready for emergency. Before us 
rose a high stone arch, marking the spot where a 
fearful battle was once maintained between the Arabs 
and English, in which, as usual, victory was gained 
by the white men. There, in the cool shade of the 
arch, we halted to rest, and note the characters that 
came within range of our observation. Camels and 
mules, bearing loads of wood, bales of merchandise, 
or gaily dressed riders, were constantly passing. 
The venders of fruit, candies, cakes and milk, were 
there ; the juggler, the beggar, and the Arab girl, 
clad in robes of blue or purple, a pure white turban 
on her head, rings of gold and silver on her arms, 
and a winning smile on her features. 

From this we sauntered to the Canteen, where sol- 
diers and sailors were eating and drinking, as though 
it was the last meal of shore food they would ever 
eat. Pies, cake, milk, meat, ale, eggs, brandy, fried 
onions, mutton chop, and fruit of all kinds, were to 
be had there. We found the cook-shops of Aden to 
be institutions of considerable note, popular places 
of resort, to which the liberty men go, as soon as 
%ey get to the town. 



Seven Years of a Sailors Life. 121 

We looked on, as curious spectators, for some time, 
and then wended our way to Playfairs, to get our 
passports out of Aden. We found a long build- 
ing, standing solitary in the square, within which 
English justice is meted out to contending parties. 
A native came out of the court-room, and threw a 
handful of money on the ground, danced about, 
beat himself with rage, and tore a handful of hair from 
his head. Having finished this foolish performance, 
he picked up the money, rolled it in his waist cloth, 
and walked away, muttering threats, but was closely 
watched by a chocadore. 

Near by stood a dashing Arab girl, having on her 
feet what appeared to be a fine pair of net-work 
socks, but upon a nearer view, we saw it was tattoo- 
ing, of the best kind, and, to gratify our curiosity, 
she allowed us to look at the sentences from the Ko- 
ran, stamped upon her forehead and breast. Rings of 
solid gold on her ancles gave to the India ink orna- 
ments a neat and rich appearance. I was pleasantly 
engaged, smiling and chattering in a mixture of 
Arabic and English, to the Arab girl, when I was 
called by an official, who came to the door, and 
politely ushered into the presence of the magistrate. 
Our passports were duly made out and signed, and, 
as American subjects, we were at liberty to leave Her 
Majesty's dominions in an English ship. It was our 
only chance to leave the port of Aden, and one step 
nearer home. 

With good recommendations and papers, we were 
all prepared to strike out on new paths of adventure. 



122 Seven Years of a Sailor's Life. 

Accordingly we went straight down to the port, and 
were fortunate enough to stumble upon a Capt. 
Smith, of the English ship Charger, who agreed to 
let us work our passage to the port of Bombay. We 
then sauntered to our old boarding-house (thanks to 
the rain, it had been nicely cleaned and repaired,) and 
entered to take our last meal, and last night's repose 
in that tumbled bed. 

As soon as day dawned, we were on the wharf, eat- 
ing fresh dates, and looking for the Charger's boat, 
which soon appeared, rowed by two frowsy-headed 
boys, who were too lazy to lift the oars in style. We 
turned the boat, and seated ourselves on the thwarts, 
and pulled to the ship. Capt. Smith looked at us 
from the moment we left the wharf, and as soon 
as the boat struck the side, he exclaimed, "you 
are the lads for my boat : you can pull side and 
feather stroke. I want you in that boat. Ship's 
boys, come out of that and stay on board after this." 
This was a good move in the right direction. My 
friend was sent to the port forecastle, and I was al- 
lowed a berth in the forward cabin. The steward, a 
native of Greenock, Scotland, came to me and said, 
" I have coaxed the old man to let you stay with me. 
I have never had a Yankee companion ; and if you 
are willing, I '11 give you a good place to sleep in, and 
cabin grub, for I sympathize with you." This was 
another stroke of good fortune for me, and the stew- 
ard and myself held good friends during the passage. 

The Charger was a one thousand ton ship, and 
hailed from Belfast, Ireland. She was composed of 



Seven Years of a Sailor's Life. 123 

as much wood, iron, and canvas as two Yankee 
ships of the same tonnage, and was, in sailor par- 
lance, " a perfect brute." She carried twenty-eight 
men besides the officers, and her cargo of coal was 
nearly all worked out. It was a duty of the crew to 
assist in unloading, they being placed at one hatch, 
and a gang of natives at the other, both engaged in 
hoisting the coal from the hold, and dumping it into 
lighters alongside. My friend and myself had been 
nicely freed of that duty, and while in port, we 
were for a greater part of the time, ashore with the 
Captain. Our companions in suffering were divided 
among the English vessels about to sail. Bridges 
and Pratt went to the " Delganie," but eventually 
sailed for London in the ship " Annie." Welch had 
to go alone in the " Delganie " to Bombay. We 
bade each other a last and kind farewell, and went 
aboard of our respective vessels. On Sunday, the 
ostrich-feather merchants came to the Charger. Be- 
ing in rather a sportive mood, one of the ship's boys 
cut open a large bag of feathers, and the crew carried 
them aloft by the handful. The feather sellers were 
wild with rage, but as the splendid plumes were danc- 
ing in the wind from the cross-tree, they dared not 
climb up after them. After the dealers had left, the 
feathers were taken down and shared among the crew. 
This is but a sample of the tricks that are prac- 
tised by sailors when lying in foreign ports. 




124 Seven Years of a Sailor's Life. 



CHAPTER XIII. 

Clearing the Hawser — A Day's Liberty, and what Came of It — The 
"Charger" Underway — Life on Board a "Juicer" — Lively Ra- 
tions — Sick Men attended by Rats — The Dogs Put on Duty — 
I become a Fancy Painter — A Rough and Tumble Encounter — 
Narrow Escape from Another Wreck — Among the Water Snakes 
— Nearing Bombay — End of Sixty Day's Tacking. 

<k 

the Charger had lain in port many weeks, 
with both anchors down, it was no wonder 
that her chains were turned and wound about 
each other, for they took an extra twist every time 
the vessel swung with the tide. As soon as the last 
lighter left the ship's side, the men went to work to 
clear the hawser ; this was done by paying out and 
unshackling the chain, and at dusk the ship swung 
by one heavy anchor. The next morning the Cap- 
tain gave all hands a day's liberty ; and well dressed 
in their best suits, they received their hard silver, 
and took their seats in the boat. We pulled them 
ashore, and returned to the ship. At sundown they 
began to return, most of them in liquor, and ready 
for a fight, while those who were sober, brought with 
them a number of ostrich eggs, baskets and dates, 
as the results of their day's adventure. That night 
one man fell from his hammock, and injured his head 
so badly that he was sent to the hospital. 
The next day the ship, after having received a lot 



Seven Years of a Sailor's Life. 125 

of camel's meat, under the name of " beef," was put 
in readiness for sea, and the morning that followed 
witnessed us moving down the harbor to take aboard 
a number of dogs and horses that a military and 
sporting gentleman wished to have sent to Bombay. 
When off the point, the anchor was dropped, and the 
lighter, with the animals and their Hindoo attendants 
was made fast to our side. The horses were safely 
slung aboard by stout tackles from the yards, and 
the dogs passed up by hand. The animals had a 
large part of the deck set off in frame-work stalls 
and benches for their accommodation, and as soon as 
all was quiet, the lighter was cast off, and its men 
soon warped the boat to the shore. Our anchor was 
then hove to the bow, and sail made. The " Delgan- 
ie " was already under way, and borne swiftly along 
with the ebb tide. 

Fourteen days is a fair passage for a sailing vessel 
from Aden to the west coast of Hindostan, but as 
the monsoon was still blowing, it would take our old 
ark many weeks to cross the Persian Gulf. We ran 
down the shores of Arabia that night, and at day- 
light were alone on the ocean. The north-east 
monsoon was fair in our teeth, and we saw at once 
that we must beat the whole distance to Bombay. 
We stood to the south and east for three days, when 
land was reported on our starboard bow ; still on we 
went, close-hauled to the wind, and my Yankee curi- 
osity getting the better of me, I ascended to the fore- 
royal mast-head, and took a long, steady look at the 
land. The high, towering cliffs were familiar to my 



126 Seven Years of a Sailor's Life. 

eye, and could not be mistaken. The dreaded land, 
that for so long time had held me captive, was plainly 
in view ; it was Cape Guardafui that was looming up be- 
fore me. I felt sick at heart, and descended the rigging 
in time to hear the order, " stations for stays." The 
wheel was rolled down, the ship's head swung to the 
wind's eye, the jibs slatted and filled, the ponderous 
yards flew around like magic, and we were on 
the other tack, making a north half-westerly course. 
Good bye, stern old cape, you never shall have an- 
other chance of bleaching my bones. 

Every fourth hour, day and night, it was, " stations 
for stays," I had an easy part to sustain, and each 
man had his station and duty. But tiiis " all hands " 
sort of work the men growled at ; it is an old saying, 
" growl you may, but go you must," and the Charger's 
crew fully understood it. The fresh food was soon 
exhausted, and the men now had to come down to 
sea-rations. The biscuit would walk from the plate if 
did you not keep an eye on them ; every cake of hard 
bread was put in pans and baked over, to kill the live 
stock. The pork was good; the beef was so hard 
that the men tried to cut images and boxes from it, 
but it always split in the grain. The day that rice 
and molasses were served was the best of the week ; 
on the same day we had mashed potatoes. An 
American crew that would eat the Charger's rations 
could not be found. Lime-juice and sugar were served 
out to all hands at noon. The Hindoos who had 
charge of the animals had plenty to eat of their own 
stores. The fare in the cabin was a little better than 



Seven Years of a Sailor's Life. 127 

that which the sailors received ; of this the steward 
always had a part left for himself, and gave me my 
share. No wonder that before the ship reached Bom- 
bay, all hands in the forecastle were down with the 
scurvy ; but after the fresh vegetables had been eaten 
for a week, they recovered. One of the Hindoos said 
to me, " Inglese beef no good ; bread no good ; ship 
no good ; but de Mericab very good." I thanked him 
for his compliment. 

Two of the men were taken sick and confined to 
their hammocks in the forward cabin. They fought 
the rats at night, and slept during the day. Many 
times did I run at their call, to dash the savage in- 
truders away from the poor men when they were too 
weak to strike at them. I let loose about twenty of 
the dogs, one day. They proved excellent ratters, and 
after that, by the Captain's orders, the dogs had free 
run about the deck. Some hard fights ensued between 
the rats and the dogs, the sailors helping the latter, 
until by the time the ship reached port, not a rat 
could be found. 

The English seamen were full of boasting, but the 
others bestowed everything but blessings on the ship 
and its owners, every time they came on deck. They 
each received two-pound-ten per month, and that 
in silver or gold. The tea given to the men was 
strong and good, but the coffee was a mess of water 
bewitched, the fragrance of the berry being lost in 
dirty water and tea leaves ; this the crew growled at, 
and refused to drink. The men every day swallowed 
the lime-juice, and then the off-watch retired to the 



128 Seven Years of a Sailors Life. 

forecastle to make and rig models, and fix up slush 
lamps ; for they had to make lamps and oil by their 
own contrivance, or have none at all. I painted the 
steward's chest with armorial bearings and fancy col- 
ored flags, and as soon as the Captain saw it, he 
issued the order, " get up the paints and oil, and set 
the watch to mixing them." This was a grand time 
to paint a ship, — fine weather and a drying wind, 
and he was bound to put that kind of work right 
along. Finding that I had some knowledge of orna- 
mental painting, he ordered me to do my best in that 
line, and in three days I had the job finished to his 
satisfaction. 

My popularity with the men before the mast was 
from that time gone ; and, " that cussed little Yankee 
knows too much," was an every-day expression. At 
length a giant of a man, who hailed from Kingston, 
a man that I had taken care of when sick, arose and 
said, " I've heard enough of you lubbers jawing that 
Yankee youngster ; he is the most active and kind- 
hearted fellow aboard this yere hooker ; show me the 
man that dare say another ugly word against him." 
Two or three men immediately picked a quarrel with 
the bold speaker ; but like a tiger he sprang among 
them, singled out his assailants, and knocked them 
about like wisps of straw. The cook, a little French- 
man, who owed the speaker a grudge, joined in the 
melee. Seeing a knife gleaming in his hand, I ran 
and joined the combat, and with one good kick, sent 
the cook hors-de-combat. The giant grasped my 
hand and said, " I can whip any four of them ; I 



Seven Years of a Sailors Life. 129 

have been here more than once, and can go in again," 
The cook ran to his galley for an axe, and having 
found it, jumped at my noble friend, but the latter 
put forth his long, brawny arms, seized the excited 
little Frenchman, wrested the axe from his hand, and 
then took him up and dashed him under the spars 
that were lashed on deck. From that time forward, 
the men had no more to say about " the cussed 
Yank ; " the huge fist and ready eye were always near 
them when I appeared on the deck. They all made 
fast friends with me, except the burley-headed English- 
man, who seemed to have an iceberg for a heart that 
kind acts or civility could not thaw ; instead of grow- 
ing more pliable and friendly, he grew more ugly 
each day. My friend called him out, and not com- 
ing when he was called, my champion brought him 
forth and nearly broke his back for his unmanly dis- 
position, closing his performance with, " Now, you 
go and make friends with Ned, or I'll swab the deck 
with your lazy carcass." He quickly obeyed this 
mandate, and looking like a used-up man, came and 
said to me, " I have run you down hill long enough, 
if you did do the painting, and set us all to work, 
don't let us # speak one to another the rest of the trip. 
But I '11 be square with big Bill before we get home." 
This was but a specimen of this shipmate's quarrel- 
ing, yet when the scurvy had eaten into his flesh, he 
was as humble and gentle as any man aboard the 
ship ; " easy blows kill the devil," holds good with 
the worst of seamen. 

We ran near to the eastern shore of Arabia, and 



130 Seven Years of a Sailor's Life. 

still the Captain stood on. I had just relieved the 
man at the wheel, and as the ship drew near to the 
land, I took a long look at the rocks and white sand- 
hills. " Captain," said I, " don't you see the glint of 
gun barrels behind those rocks and hills ?" He took 
his glass, and after a long squint through it, exclaimed, 
" Yes, I do ; and naked men also. Stations for stays ; 
roll the wheel down, my lad. Hard a-lee. All for- 
ward haul. Main topsail, haul. By jingoes, I be- 
lieve the hounds can reach us with their long guns. 
The water is very shoal here." The ship, as she 
came on the other tack, turned up sand and discolored 
water. With a light heart I righted the wheel ; the 
ponderous craft had escaped the danger. 

The Charger carried a heavy press of sail, but 
was a dull sailer ; rolling topsail yards, and patent 
reefing gear, were the only easy work on her. The 
rigging was poor, and the men had a lively time 
when a squall struck her. It was near the change of 
the monsoon ; the sky was dull and brassy, and the 
stifling heat became more oppressive each day, and 
we heartily wished ourselves safe in Bombay. All 
the heavy work was done while the men chanted, 
the singing making our work lighter. There were 
some fine voices among the crew, and in the dog- 
watches all kinds of songs were sung. " We're Rol- 
ling Home," " Radcliffe Highway," " Annie Laurie," 
and " The Wild Boy," were the favorites. The scurvy 
had reduced the crew to twelve men, but as every 
tack took us nearer Bombay, the men grew more 
cheerful. 



Seven Years of a Sailor's Life. 131 

We now met many little native vessels running off 
from the land, and knew that the port was not far dis- 
tant. We had been fifty-four days at sea, and were 
tired out with beating the ship to the windward. The 
water about us was full of long water-snakes, black on 
the upper part of the body, and white beneath. Sev- 
eral of these were taken in nets and buckets, and meas- 
ured from four to nine feet in length. Sharp knives 
cut their heads off, and the bodies lived four hours 
after the operation. On the 8th of January, 1861, 
after three days of pulling and hauling, the land ap- 
peared in sight, and the blue mountains loomed up 
in the distance. Native bungalows swept past us ; 
the stately, homeward-bound ships, with swelling can- 
vas, and we ran far to windward the " Delganie," 
just about to enter the harbor. The pilot boat, paint- 
ed red, and well-manned with a native crew, placed 
the white pilot and his boy on our deck. The sick 
men crawled from their low hammocks to look at the 
land. The ship was put about : the light-house was 
in sight ; and close hauled to the wind, and with a 
fair tide, we passed smoothly up the roads, and came 
to anchor in the harbor, among the crowded shipping 
of many nations. Our long seige of sixty days' 
beating and tacking was over. 



132 Seven Years of a Sailors Life, 




CHAPTER XIV. 

At Bombay — Visit to the Consul — Kind Reception — A "Bully" 
Captain after some Men — A General Dislike — I Run the Risk 
and Ship for Home — A Strange Crew — The "Boy Bill" — 
Rough Sport — The Cargo and Manner of Loading — "Yankee 
Ned " in the Tank — Bum-Boats and their Stock in Trade — One 
Day Ashore — Palanquins — Banyan Trees — Myriads of Doves 
— Ready for Sea — The Pilot Aboard — A trial of Speed — Our 
Yankee Clipper Wins. 

S quick as our light crew could work, the sails 
were furled, and everything made snug ; eve- 
ry rope on its proper pin, and the rigging that 
hung in bights separated and hauled taut. The 
decks were swept, and the quarter boat lowered, and 
soon we were ready to accompany the Captain ashore. 
The sick men sat on the bitts and windlass, eating 
raw potatoes and onions, procured from a shore boat; 
the natives were besieging the steward and cook for 
their patronage. Some of the crew were anticipat- 
ing a jolly time, as soon they had a liberty day given 
to them, and others were fast running themselves in 
debt, by purchasing every kind of nick-nack that 
came to hand. 

" Boat is ready, sir." 

" Charley, toss those pad fenders out. Cushions 
all right." 

Down comes the Captain, a large umbrella in his 



Seven Years of a Sailor's Life. 133 

hand, and a helmet hat on his head, — a perfect 
picture of content, as he put his long legs on the 
cushion, and took a backward look at his clumsy, 
black ship. Before us was Bombay in its glory ; 
not the old Bombay in Sepoy hands, when the 
white man expected to have the guns of the dark 
fortress turned upon him, but a large, thriving city, 
teeming with wealth from China to England. The 
harbor was full of ships ; the bundas lined with 
boats, the store houses full to excess, of the. pro- 
ducts of every zone. Hotels and printing offices ; 
merchants' exchange ; grand old ruins, and pal- 
aces of the nabobs ; streets lined with shops, in 
which everything a stranger can want, may be pro- 
cured ; clothing shops, curiosity bazaars, coffee 
houses, and a theatre. Verily, the genius of John 
Bull has brought the heathen to an advanced state, 
for his own interests, and so long as the bars of ru- 
pees come to his own treasury, he is content. 

In glided our boat to the Burra Bunda, and there 
we were, among large and small dows, lighters, bun- 
galows and merchant boats of every kind ; the sail- 
ors were lounging in their boats, under the awnings, 
eating fruit, smoking, and telling tough yarns. The 
natives on the wharf, clad in light garments, were 
selling all kinds of fruit, cakes, and teddy rum 
to the sailors who had a few annas to spare ; all 
kinds of carved work were thrust upon us, — fans, 
boxes, pipes, and sugar cane. The natives were skip- 
ping about, as merry as larks, changing the gold to 
silver and copper. The custom-house officials were 



134 Seven Years of a Sailor's Life. 

inspecting every article that was landed at the bunda, 
and smoking their hubble-bubble pipes constantly. 
We followed the Captain through the crowd, to the 
American Consul's office. There we found some 
dozen seamen, each endeavoring to have his claims 
settled ; but without ceremony, our Captain made 
known his business to the Consul. 

The first thing that greeted my eye was a large 



What do we care for that ? Why don't he ventilate 
the apartment. It is only a clever dodge to keep the 
begging seamen out ; but still they are always here, 
and will not vacate until they get suited with a good 
chance. The Consul heard our story, and then said, 
" There are four ships here that are going to the 
States ; you can take your choice. The " Spirit of 
the Times " goes first, the " Typhoon " next, and the 
" James Robinson " and "Minnehaha" will follow." 
The men at the door beckoned to me, and I went to 
them. " Don't you go in the ' Times,' she is a hard 
boat, and the captain shows too much spirit for us. 
She is a prison afloat, and is just from China, where 
half of the men ran away ; here comes the captain ; 
the old tyrant." 

In came a hard-featured individual, dressed in 
snowy white, a flashy gold chain dangling on his vest ; 
and puffing like a pair of bellows. The loungers 
shrank back as he strode into the room, and looked 
about. He spoke in a short, snappish tone, and I saw 



Seven Years of a Sailor's Life. 135 

that his words and manner were all bravado, the mo- 
ment he came in. The Consul told our story, and the 
Captain jerked himself about and exclaimed, " I want 
men, and must have them. — Won't you go," he 
inquired, fixing his hard, gray eye on me. 

" Yes, I '11 go," I replied, " I shall get to the States 
in your ship as soon as in any." 

"And you, too, you'll go of course ?" said the Cap- 
tain. 

" Yes, I am there if you are willing," answered 
my chum. 

" Well, I like that in you ; nine dollars a month, 
and plenty to eat; you can't growl at that." 

" Sir," said the English Captain, " these young 
men have been on hand for all emergencies, day and 
night, since we left Aden. I hope they will do as well 
under you with wages, as they have labored for noth- 
ing on my ship. Good bye, Yankee Ned ; good bye, 
Charley ; do right and you will get along well enough. 
Take my boat and go aboard, and collect your little 
traps, I shall go off in a dingy. Good bye, lads," 
and away went the Englishman to his consignees. 

" Don't one of you want to ship ? " asked the hard- 
looking captain, as he turned to the seamen who 
stood wondering at our hastiness. 

" No sir," one of them answered, " We'll hang out 
here till all is blue, before we take your saucy clipper 
for a bridge to the States."' 

u Oh, that is what you all say ; but you may find 
harder men than me and my mates," and rising he 
continued, " you men who have shipped with me, 



136 Seven Years of a Sailor's Life. 

will please sign the articles, and go on board to-day ; 
report to Mr. Benson, and go about your duty." 

I saw that this Captain had a great swagger, but 
felt sure that he would treat men like men, when he 
understood the character of those he had shipped. 
He rolled out of the office, casting a bitter glance at 
those who filled the entry as he passed. Mr. Fair- 
field gave us all the needful garments, besides shoes 
and socks, and we were soon skimming back to 
the Chaeger. Our dinner was soon put out of sight, 
and then, after bidding farewell to the crew, and 
receiving many little tokens of kindness from their 
hands, we left the ship, and the boys pulled us to the 
Spirit of the Times that lay up the inner harbor. 

We approached the high, round stern, and were 
much gratified in looking upon the carving and 
gilding, and the white letters, " New York," which 
looked home-like to our eyes. We mounted the lad- 
der, and stepped upon the long, smooth deck. Every- 
thing looked clean and ship-shape. We reported to 
the mate, and then went to our berths to stow away 
our luggage, and put on our working rig of every- 
day clothes.. The lighters were not alongside, so the 
men had an opportunity to take a resting spell. 
There was a motley crowd on deck ; men from every 
nation of sea-going people. Dutch, Irish, English, 
Kanaka, Portuguese, and Scotch, and three Yankees 
in a crew of twenty men. The mate's voice rang 
out, " Here," you boy Bill, get your broom along this 
way." 

" Lay up there, Cleaves, and bind that worming to 
the stay." 



Seven Years of a Sailor's Life. 137 

" You, Peter and Jacob, come here and wet the 
deck." 

" Boy Bill, what are you saying ? " 

" Nothing sir," he answered, as he folded his little 
bare arms over the broomstick, and his large eyes 
looked saucily at the mate. 

" Ah, you Bill, you are the most delving, prying, 
saucy cuss in this world. Don't you heave any more 
butcher knives at me. I'm glad the Captain will 
send you home ; go to work, you young cuss, do you 
hear? quick." 

This " Boy Bill," as the men called him, was as 
handsome, agile and clean a lad as ever trod a plank. 
He had a fine head, was as keen and bright as a 
sword, with a splendidly formed body, yet he was 
only twelve years old. His round, smooth arms were 
covered with India-ink marks in which he gloried, and 
in his room, in the boys' house, he had all kinds of 
rare and fancy toys that he bought in China. He 
had joined the ship in Liverpool, and young as he was, 
drank the strongest rum, chewed and smoked tobac- 
co most of the time, and was up to every kind of 
deviltry that his quick and fertile brain could devise. 

" There," said the Captain, " is the hardest boy I 
ever saw, or expect to see. Banging and confinement, 
hunger, work, or any punishment will not break his 
high spirit ; he is the only smart little fellow I have 
seen for years, yet I shall send him home on the first 
vessel that goes and will take him." The Captain 
confined him in the hold, but was glad enough to free 
him and let him come on deck, for his yells of mad- 



138 Seven Years of a Sailors Life. 

ness and blasphemous songs, made even the men, hard 
old tars as they were, look surprised. 

That night, when he had finished his supper and 
smoked, I called him into his room, and we sat down 
on the camphor-wood chests. I talked kindly on dif- 
ferent subjects, and at length asked, " Bill, have you 
a mother living ? " He threw back his dark hair, and 
with his gleaming eyes fixed upon me, exclaimed, 
" Yes ; and 0, my God, what am I ? 0, my mother, 
God forgive me." His head fell on the pillow of his 
mattress, and he cried as if his heart would break. He 
had his cry out, and then said, — 

" 0, Ned, you are the first person that has spoken 
a kind word to me since I ran away from home. 0, 
my mother, I '11 be a better boy as soon as I quit this 
ship." 

I had touched the right string, and when he left the 
ship, he wanted to leave to me all his little curiosities, 
none of which would I take, except a small Chinese 
idol, to remember him by. Thus, many a youth is 
like " Boy Bill," when he slips from home and a moth- 
er's care, and if he gets with a hard set of men, he 
becomes as near like them as he can be. No boy 
should go to sea, unless he goes with a good christian 
captain ; and even then he may be ruined if he has 
not the moral courage to stand up boldly against the 
thousand wiles of the artful enemy. 

There was a quarrel the second night that we were 
aboard. One of the mates had his head severely 
injured by a heavy bottle in the hands of one of the 
men, who hailed from Kentucky. This mate was a 



Seven Years of a Sailor's Life. 139 

drunken, quarreling man, a giant in bulk and strength, 
and a brute in manners. He was soon taken to the 
hospital, presenting a sickening sight as he left the 
side of the ship. The Chinese steward had a dispute 
with my chum, and as he came out of his house, knife 
in hand, I sprang upon and disarmed him. Two of 
the men had a fight in the fo' castle, and beat each 
other so badly that both were unfit for duty. The 
natives who cooked their food and slept aboard, were 
always at swords' points ; and I soon began to think I 
had got on board of a hard boat, but I kept aloof from 
all disputes and skirmishes, and soon gained the favor 
of officers and men. 

The cargo came faster every day. The wide native 
boats swept down the muddy river, their large trian- 
gular sails filled out with the flowing breeze. Letting 
the sheets fly, they put their helm down, and came 
round in good style, alongside of the ship. The crew 
of the bungalow tossed the sacks of linseed on a stag- 
ing ; two of our crew pitched them through the port- 
hole, others carried them to their proper places, and 
piled them in rows until the hold was filled. We then 
loaded wool, tea, and other kinds of freight, until the 
" 'tween decks " was packed full, and the cargo was 
all in. We were to sail in about a week, and we im- 
proved the time to see Bombay. The men were get- 
ting uneasy, and the Captain allowed one watch at a 
time their liberty. I patiently waited my turn for a 
run ashore, and did not trouble the Captain for money 
or liberty. 

The water tank that held twenty-two hundred gal- 



140 Seven Years of a Sailors Life. 

Ions, and reached from the deck to keelson, had a 
large oval cover of cast iron, which by accident, was 
dropped to the bottom of the tank, then containing 
about nine feet of water. Every method, to pick up 
the heavy cover, was tried, but failed : some one 
must go down into the tank and raise the iron. 
The men did not like the idea of doing so, and I 
offered my services to recover it. I descended with 
a rope under my arms, and at the seventh dive raised 
the cover. Chilled and confused by the icy-cold 
water and loud echoes, I was drawn safely up and 
rubbed with flannels and liquor, and to my great sur- 
prise and satisfaction, had a few rupees and a two 
days' liberty given me. 

On Sunday the " bum-boats" were always alongside, 
and in them could be found every kind of article to 
please a sailor's fancy. The boatmen were always 
ready to trade or exchange books, boots, clothing or. 
anything else that came handy. " Changee for 
changee, John," was the cry. Thin boots at a dol- 
lar a pair ; a song book and a Bible tied together for 
a dollar ; army clothes, dates fresh from the tree ; 
ginger from China ; silks, fans, sandal wood, ivory, 
curious work-boxes, needles, liquor, flags, monkeys, 
grapes, guaras, cocoa-nut oil in large quantities 
cheap. These, with ottar of roses, and splendid per- 
fumes in a heap, with eggs, toys, ostrich feathers and 
tomatoes, formed a collection that pleased all hands. 
Indeed, there arc many pleasant hours spent in the 
bum-boats of the natives in the large East India ports, 
and many little articles can be seen in the quiet homes 



Seven Years of a Sailors Life. 141 

of New England towns and villages, that were pur- 
chased from these floating shopmen. 

I had a fine time ashore on liberty day, and I went 
alone. For eight annas I hired a rude buggy drawn 
by a mule, and was carried safely through the streets 
and out into the open country. I passed palanquins 
occupied by lazy Europeans, and borne on the shoul- 
ders of natives, who went at a dog trot, the perspira- 
tion rolling down their dark faces, while they kept 
up their running chant ; cemetaries with their tall 
columns and ghostly headstones ; groves of cocoa- 
nut trees, and fields of bright flowers. The banyan 
tree, with its numerous trunks, afforded me a cool 
shade, and I became interested in the palaces, and 
temples, and fields of rice and cane. During the 
ride I met natives, whites, pagans, and Jews, bond 
and free : crippled beggars and handsome Hindoo 
girls, the latter with heavy jars of water on their 
heads. After a long and pleasant jaunt I turned 
the mule's head to the stable, and, as I gave the 
ostler his " buckshees," or perquisite, I cast my 
eye across the road, and saw an immense flock of 
doves. The noise made by their flight sounded like 
the rumble of distant thunder, and when they set- 
tled, they covered the square from side to side. The 
doves are highly cared for, and any person shooting 
or maiming one of them being heavily fined. 

I wended my way to the ship, my arms full of curi- 
osities and fruit, and found it ready for sea, and wait- 
ing for the pilot. I looked at her fine, sharp bow 
and clean sides, and thought her a beauty. The next 



142 Seven Years of a Sailor's Life. 

day, after dinner, the old pilot came aboard. " Come 
lads, show your muscle and the ship's heels, and 
beat that steamer just weighing anchor." The 
men sprung to duty ; the anchor was lifted from its 
slimy bed, the men singing "Rolling River " and 
" Cheerily she goes ; " the fluke of the anchor was 
out of water; the sails run up and sheeted home, 
and with a famous wind, the ship, with flying colors, 
left her berth. The steamer did her best to beat us; 
the crews of the ships at anchor cheered. Our gay 
old ship heeled to leeward, and split the water into 
foam, as, like a racer, she cleft her way with wind 
and tide. Soon the steamer was far astern, and as 
we hove the ship to, off the light-house, the pilot left 
us ; his last words to the Captain being : — " Your 
Yankee clipper can beat the sailing world all hollow." 



Seven Years of a Sailor's Life. 143 



CHAPTER XV. 

Homeward Bound — Good Living — Mysterious disappearance of 
Poultry — Something Like a Race — A Terrific Squall — Doub- 
ling the Cape of Good Hope — In the " Trades " — All Hands 
Busy — Antics of the Live Stock — Laughable Adventures of a 
Pig — Catching Porpoises — A Battle with a Shark — Death of 
the Cook — An Inhuman Burial — In a Calm — Any work Rather 
than no Work — Squally Weather Returned — A Roll in the 
Scuppers — Off Bermuda. 

3CJ8: FTER the pilot left us, and dashed away 
^T^fe in his small boat to the large one that was 
*&>~th fast approaching, we squared the yards, and 
were far out of sight of the steamer before dusk. 
Our deck was encumbered with pigs, goats, ducks, 
and fowls. Fresh vegetables in baskets were piled 
up all around the deck, and the water tank had 
been newly filled. It took all of the next clay to put 
the articles in their proper places, and to clear up the 
decks to our satisfaction. Every man knew the part 
he was to perform, and the watch he was in, and we 
quietly settled down into the old monotony of sea life. 
Our second mate was a gentleman and a sailor, and 
even the first mate, stern as he was, relaxed for the 
time his usual vigilance over the men. We were 
homeward bound. Yes, and the clipper was reeling 
off the knots at a good pace. The weather was fair, 
and the moon shone in all its silvery beauty, as we 



144 Seven Years of a Sailor s Life. 

danced away over the Indian Ocean ; and every body 
but the Captain had a happy face. We had left the 
land of Arabs and Hindoos never to return to its hot 
and sickly shores. A trackless path was before us, a 
lost trail behind ; and, like an albatross, the canvas- 
clouded ship was lessening the thousands of miles of 
water that lay between us and home. I did not hear 
the crew speak of the sights they had observed on 
shore, or the caves of Elephantea, where the huge 
stone idols stand, nor of the splendid palaces they 
leaned against when they were tipsy ; but " old Tom," 
Portuguese girls, and a free fight, were mostly the 
topics of conversation that occupied their time in 
the dog watches. 

Baskets of onions and potatoes were hid away, 
but some of the crew found them, and night after 
night stole the onions to eat in their mid-watches. 
The large coop contained about one hundred and forty 
fowls, and every egg that was laid was drank in the 
men's coffee at six bells. Sometimes three or four 
dead hens would be found in a single day, and they 
died off so fast with a broken neck that the men had 
their share of them ; every two weeks a pig Avas butch- 
ered and the crew rejoiced in sea pie and duff. We 
had good living and enough, but the Captain some- 
times cast a black look at us as we gathered around 
the mess-kid. Standing with folded arm and his pipe 
in his mouth, he seemed to say, — " Go it, my dears, 
put my profits in your hungry stomachs, but by-and- 
bye I '11 work it out of you." He was nervous, and 
excitable, running to the deck at all hours of the 



Seven Years of a Sailors Life. 145 

night, prying into every hole and corner, and mak- 
ing the men take a pull at the sheets and halyards 
when they could not gain an inch. 

We were soon off Maritius Island, and had squally 
and rough weather. I have seen that ship lugging 
topmast studding-sails when hauled on the wind when 
the top-gallant sails were furled. She worked up to 
windward like a pilot boat, and no ship that we met 
outsailed us. We came up to the English ship 
" Shakespeare," and kept along with her two days. 
Every rag of sail-cloth was set by the English ship to 
keep her within hailing distance, and yet we drew 
away from her. It was a lovely day ; no sign of a 
squall presented itself, and the " Shakespeare," under 
a cloud of canvas, was staggering along in our wake. 
Our Captain came on deck, snuffed the air, and looked 
around the horizon, and then in nervous haste ordered 
the light sails to be taken in, and topsails secured.. 
The men who were on deck soon had them roped up 
in good shape, and the Captain exclaimed, — " Come 
on, old Squall, I 'm all ready for you ; " and then to 
the ship behind us, — "You'd better take in your 
muslin there, astern, or you will lose it." 

The wind had died away to little puffs, while ahead 
of us the clouds were gathering in battle array. The 
men ran to throw their dirty clothes in buckets and 
tubs. The squall rushed over the water, raising a 
solid wall of foam as the wind swept over it. The 
clouds were as black as ink in one spot, and from the 
centre poured forth sheets of hot, blinding rain. It 
struck us like an avalanche ; but the strong ship met 



146 Seven Years of a Sailor's Life. 

the white wall in fine style, and poking her long, black 
bows through the foam, she staggered and rose to an 
upright keel, and like a thing of life, scud before the 
fury of the white squall. Blinding flashes of fire 
streamed across the sky. The thunder cracked and 
echoed like a dozen cannon fired at once. The deck 
was flooded, and swashed slowly from side to side as 
the high waves tumbled the ship about. But where 
is the English ship ? Why, there she is ; sails half 
furled ; jibs and top-gallant sails blown to ribbons. 
The squall was over. It went muttering and rushing 
away to leeward, and we were all right. The sun 
broke through the parting clouds in gorgeous splen- 
dor. The wind came fair ; both vessels were on their 
regular course, and that night we ran away from the 
" Shakespeare," and at sunrise were all alone on the 
ocean. 

We held the fine weather and fair . wind, and in 
quick time doubled the Cape of Good Hope. The 
season was mild, and we ran near to the shore, the 
table lands looming up blue in the distance. At that 
point we met an ice ship and a barque from the 
good city of Boston, bound to Bombay. From it we 
received home papers, and a happier man never existed 
than myself when I pored over them and read of 
familiar scenes and places. We were well to the 
westward of the land when a hurricane overtook us ; 
but by the exercise of good seaman- ship and the use 
of a stout suit of sails, the ship was saved. Immense 
green waves broke over us as we lay hove to, and 
no one dared go forward of the main-mast. The 



Seven Years of a Sailor's Life. 147 

gale sung and shrieked through the taut rigging. 
With only a spencer set, and well guyed, the long, 
sharp hull lay nearly head to these running seas, and 
generally went through them, deluging the deck with 
solid cataracts of water. The land was in sight un- 
der the lee, and we thought that before morning we 
should have sand in our teeth, and lie dead among 
the splinters of our ship. But a merciful Providence 
decreed it otherwise. The gale abated as the sun 
settled in the west, and the sea came in more regular 
waves and rolls. The morn broke through black, 
rugged masses of clouds, and cast a ghastly light on the 
watery scene. Under lower topsail, and fore staysail, 
the ship began to work to windward, and as the night 
watches passed into daylight, we saw the low, rocky 
land sink from sight. 

Light winds and calms followed this last gale, and 
at the end of two weeks we struck into the S. E. 
Trades. The steady, clear air wafted us along, and 
as soon as we had the full influence of the Trades' 
wind, everything was set, from skysail pole to the wa- 
ter's edge. Stunsails were set from royal to the rail 
on both sides, and the ship was a little low hull under 
a huge pyramid of canvas. It was pleasant at 
night, to look up at the towering white sails, still and 
cold as marble, filled out in every seam by the steady 
following breeze, and watch how gently she rolled on 
her way. 

Now our work had begun. All day it was scrub 
and paint, scrape and hammer, tar and grease down, 
turn in rigging and set it up, and do all kinds of 



148 Seven Years of a Sailor's Life. 

work that a seaman has in hand when the vessel 
enters the Trades. The Captain fed us well, and 
worked us well ; the men and mates working in har- 
mony together. The Captain and his family were 
always on deck. The cockatoos made the air ring 
with sharp cries, and the goats and dogs chased each 
other about the deck. The Captain laid his specta- 
cle case down, and the goat chewed it to pieces. At 
another time he laid a ball of twine on the deck, and 
as soon as his needleful was gone, the Captain looked 
for the ball, and saw a small portion of it hanging 
from the goat's jaw. He took the end and pulled 
out the twine, fathom after fathom, until he had it all 
safe in his hands again. All the pigs but one had 
fallen by the cook's relentless hand, and that, a lit- 
tle black one, having broken out from his pen, one 
Sunday, made live fun for all hands. The barehead- 
ed Chinaman was hard at work chasing and trying 
to corner him ; but the pig rushed to the starboard 
forecastle door, and tumbled through it on to a 
Dutchman who sat reading his prayer-book at the 
bottom of the steps. The angry Dutchman threw 
him on deck, and his next move was to rush down 
the ventilator, and fall heavily enough on the 
stomachs of two men who were lying in the upper 
berth, in order to get the pure air. With curses 
loud and deep, the pig was again thrust on deck, and 
the steward put an end to his breaking out forever, 
by sticking the animal and letting his life blood run 
out of the scupper hole. This was the last of our 
few pigs, and as we^icked his rib bones, we wished 
there were more on board just like him. 



Seven Years of a Sailor's Life. 149 

Having no more pork to eat, we kept a sharp lookout 
for porpoises, and at length had our patience re- 
warded by capturing two large fish ; these were cut into 
strips, and when well seasoned by hanging and drying, 
were made* into balls and fried. The very next day 
after we had captured the porpoises, as I mounted 
the rail and naturally cast my eyes to the water, I 
saw a monster of a shark keeping up with the rapid 
pace of our ship, and with his cold eyes turned up to 
the clipper. I hastily jumped from the rail to the deck, 
forgetting the job that I had to do aloft, and soon had 
the shark-hook and chain well baited with porpoise. 
The Captain came running to me with a new line in 
his hand. "Here, Ned, bend this on ; he is a lunker, 
and will give us a hard try." I delivered the cleared 
line and hook to the Captain, and as soon as the bait 
was near the water, the hungry monster rolled on his 
side and swallowed hook and bait. " Lay all hands 
along here ; here is some fun for you. Take him for- 
ward of the fore rigging and rouse him up if you can.'" 
Easier said than done. The monster lashed the clear 
water into foam. His agony was fearful to behold. 
He turned, twisted and splashed the water about, 
until, at the end of half an hour, by the exertions of 
all hands, the long gray fellow was brought struggling 
to the fo'castle, and set upon by the crew with axes, 
hand-spikes, and bars. The shark with his double 
rows of teeth bit the iron work on the fo'castle deck 
as if it were lead, and the slaps of his tail, on the deck 
were heard to echo far and near. But after a while 
his majesty gave up the contest, and upon measuring 



150 Seven Years of a Sailor's Life. 

him we found his length to be seventeen feet. The 
men felt happy over his execution, for the shark is the 
sailor's inveterate enemy. 

Still the ship glided on, steered as true as a boat 
was ever guided ; the ship work was completed, and 
" everything," the mate declared, " looked like a 
fiddle." We slept on deck at night, rolled up in 
mats, and talked about the pleasures of home. By 
day the men made models, pricked India ink, and 
prepared their cold weather garments. We were 
near the equator, between the two continents, thou- 
sands of miles from land, when we discovered a leak. 
Our ship was deep loaded, and must have been 
wrenched in the hurricane. The water poured in 
at the rate of eighteen hundred strokes an hour but 
by the constant use of our good pumps we kept the 
water down. It was pump all the time, night and 
day. The water soon began to lessen, and in two 
week's time one man could pump her out in an hour. 
Still the pump was kept jogging easy most of the 
time, and the ship drove on, cleaving her way to the 
Northern clime. 

Our cook, a Creole from New Orleans, was taken 
sick with the dysentery and pined away each day, 
until at last he was a pitiful object to look on, being 
reduced to skin and bones. The Captain dosed him 
with many kinds of drugs, and one day he called out 
to the men, — "Come here, and take this body for 
burial." The warm body was dragged from its berth, 
the eyes open, and looking life-like to us. It was placed 
on the deck, rolled unceremoniously in a blanket, 



Seven Years of a Sailor's Life, 151 

and placed on a plank, tilted on the rail. The men 
held the inboard end of the plank, and we waited to hear 
the funeral services read ; but the mates kept aft, and 
only two or three men were present. The Captain 
raised his hand ; " over with him, boys," came from 
his hard heart and lips, and away he went, whistling, 
and playing with his dog. The men held the plank 
and fervently said, " Good bye, Cookie ;" and, " God 
have mercy on your soul ; may you rest in peace," fell 
from my lips. Then the plank was tilted, the corpse 
slid into the clear, blue ocean, and remained half out 
of water, for the dry blanket buoyed it up. " My 
God, can it be possible that the corpse is following 
us ? " said the second mate. The Captain, white as 
a sheet, took one look at the sunken face turned to- 
ward us, and bobbing up and down in our wake, and 
from that moment was a raving, tearing man, al- 
ways nervous and half crazy. The mate began to 
dislike him, and the men treated him with contempt. 
Angry threats grew to be plenty; this bad spirit 
manifesting itself in the crew, hard words soon came 
to hard blows, fore and aft. The men at the pump 
had a fight ; the Kanakas drew knives ; the Irishmen 
took the pump brakes, and laid the murderous-mind- 
ed natives out on the deck ; the second mate refused 
duty, and a Dutchman was put in his place. 

We had left the " trades, " and were having calms 
with light baffling winds and sizzling hot weather. 
Thus we were for two weeks, the sails hanging flat 
up and down the spars, or slatting and fraying when 
the gentle swell struck the ship. The Captain 



152 Seven Years of a Sailors Life, 

whistled and cursed himself sore, for a fair wind, 
and every kind of work that could be thought of was 
ordered to be done. Even the great iron cables were 
roused on deck, pounded, coal-tarred, and stowed 
away. At length the squally, shifting wind began to 
blow ; the nights were darker than a miser's pocket ; 
gusts of wind and torrents of water swept the ship 
day after day, and a tropical hurricane drove us out 
of our course, and gave our men plenty to do. Every- 
thing above the cross-trees was sent down. Our rig- 
ging was snapped, and had to be turned in again. 
The lee rail was under water many times, and the 
poultry, men's chests, and men themselves were 
washed from one side to the other. A howling south- 
easter came upon us, and when it moderated, our 
ship was under lower topsails to the eastward of the 
island of Bermuda. 



Seven Years of a Sailor's Life. 153 



CHAPTER XVI. 

Approaching Cape Hatteras — " Steer Small, my Hearties " — Sai- 
lor's Rights and Sailor's Wrongs — Spearing Rats — A Howling 
Gale — Fierce Combat with the Storm — Good bye, Hatteras — 
Beating up the Coast — New York Pilots — Tug Boats at Hand 

— Familiar Scenes — We are visited by Runners and False Friends 

— Jack Tar and the Land Sharks — In New York Harbor — "Let 
go the Anchor" — A Narrow Escape — My Native Land Once 
More — By Rail to Boston — The Long Voyage Over — Home 
Again. 



HE island of Bermuda bore West by South 
twenty miles, when the gale abated, and 
the wind came out steadily from the east- 
ward. We were now five hundred and forty miles 
east of the State of Carolina, and knew if the wind 
held good four days, we should be in the power of 
the gulf stream, and off Cape Hatteras, that place 
so much dreaded by seamen. I have been around 
Hatteras eleven times, and only twice have seen 
pleasant weather. Our ship spoke, off Bermuda, a 
Portuguese brig, with a very large crew, bound to 
Rio Janerio, and kept company three days with a 
Boston schooner, that could sail two miles to our 
one ; we also met two English barques that were 
bound to New York. Every vessel except the 
schooner was under a cloud of canvas ; but that 
sharp, long, heavy-sparred fore-and-after jogged along 
under easy sail just ahead of us. The barques were 




154 Seven Years of a Sailor's Life. 

soon but little white specks astern, and " steer small, 
my hearties, don't lose an inch," was sounded in our 
ears. As we turned the iron wheel, from daylight 
to dark, the schooner, tired of this play, and feeling 
sure she was on the right path, dipped her colors, 
hoisted the huge gaff-topsails and outer jibs, and 
walked away from us like a dolphin from a shark, 
so that at set of sun we were alone on the sea, 
ploughing our way straight for the land of freedom. 
The cook's burial was often talked of by the men, 
and our disabled second mate. " I have never seen 
a dog thrown overboard in that way," he would ex- 
claim, and then run on, " I '11 be flabbergasted if I 
could do as bad as that if I was the old devil him- 
self." 

" I 've seen bully Waterman sit on his cabin-house 
and shoot men from the yards," said Mat Conolly. 

" And I 've seen men jumping overboard in New 
York harbor, and the decks flowing with blood," said 
Brown ; " blast me if I don't hope there will be a 
law that will make shippers smart, some day. The 
idea of a man coming aboard, and calling the men 
all aft, and saying, 6 1 'm the captain, God Almighty, 
and this is my mate, Jesus Christ ; now look alive, 
you devils, or you will wish yourselves in hell before 
the trip is up ; ' all this in New York and 'Frisco." 

These statements, roughly made and interspersed 
with oaths that exhibited their depth of feeling, was 
true. How many unknown bodies are taken from 
the docks and find a place in the dead-house, no one 
can tell. They are mostly the bodies of mates and 



Seven Years of a Sailor's Life. 155 

seamen who are never missed or recognized. The 
old maxim on shipboard in mid ocean is kept before 
the seamen's eyes, " Don't do as I do, but do just as I 
tell you." The sailors have well realized the fact by 
this time, that " There are men, who, clothed in brief 
authority, would make hell yawn and tyrants trem- 
ble." But those old times of barbarity are fast pass- 
ing away. Whipping, beating, shooting, and starv- 
ing the men are, to use a common expression, about 
played out. A good captain is loved and followed to 
the death with a friendship as firm as adamant, but 
a brute of a man has a revolver ball put through his 
head, and the avenger escapes the penalty of the 
law. Men that sail in " hard boats " take precau- 
tionary measures to maintain their rights, and this 
step has been taken by them none too soon. The 
law of the land is beginning to throw its protect- 
ing arms around the seamen, and every one is 
learning the fact that curses and kicks will never 
make the sailor a better man ; but that good food 
and kind treatment will do it all. 

We ran by the floating fields ,of gulf weed ; the 
flying-fish and dolphins had left us, and the cool, 
pure air of America fanned our sun- tanned faces. 
Still we ploughed on through the curling sea, for the 
girls at home had hold of the tow-rope, and our craft 
was sweeping along by day and night, straight for 
abiding places of those we loved. 

Our forecastle swarmed with rats, and many a 
watch below I spent lying in my bunk and spearing 
them with a sail-needle fastened to a long rattan. 



156 Seven Years of a Sailor's Life. 

This sport of mine, continued day after day, had the 
effect of somewhat lessening the number of pas- 
sengers ; in fact, the rats began to be scarce, and 
finally quit running over us when we were asleep. 

One day the captain called me into his cabin, and 
when we were alone, questioned me on many subjects, 
and wound up by saying, " Well, I am without a boy, 
and as you are but seventeen years old now, you may 
rise in the profession." 

" But," he continued, fixing his hard, gray eyes on 
me, " I like you, and if you were my boy, I 'd make 
you in two years a mate of a clipper ship, or hang 
you dead." 

I told him I was much obliged to him for his kind 
offers, but had no idea of changing my own parents' 
love for that of another, and preferred to battle my 
way up the ladder alone. At this he put his hand 
over his eyes, and then waved it to the door, and I 
returned to my duty again. He had shown favor to 
my chum during the passage, and had been kind to 
me the whole time, for I was always on hand for any- 
thing ; the quickest to stow the royals, and do any 
work where a heavy man could not go ; but I was 
quite overcome by this last interview. Was it be- 
cause I was cleaner and more civil than the others, 
or had I a fair face and nimble body that took his 
eye ? I never knew to what I was indebted for his 
favorable attention. 

On went the ship with a fair wind most of the time, 
and making about eight miles an hour on an aver- 
age. At the end of the eighty-sixth day from Bom- 



Seven Years of a Sailors Life. 157 

bay, a fearful storm came rushing down upon us 
from the westward. Dark masses of high, towering 
clouds ran across the sky ; the breeze began to pipe 
and ripen to a gale ; the ship was stripped for a bat- 
tle with the elements, and under lower topsails and 
main-spencer, plunged into the yawning black sea. 
All that night it roared and howled, and at daylight 
it had a fresh hand at the bellows. The cold wind 
and rain chilled us through. Pea-jackets and oil 
suits were called into play. The ship thrust her 
sharp bows into the angry sea, and reared her fore- 
foot out of water. Life lines were run fore-and-aft 
the deck, and everything was well lashed to ring- 
bolts and bitts. The topsails were blown to fine 
rags, and whirled away on the wings of the wind. 
At last the vessel was hove to, and was better able 
to ride out the gale.. The Captain's family, shel- 
tered in the warm deck-house, gazed from the win- 
dows at the raging sea and water-soaked men cling- 
ing to the weather-rail and rigging. The white-cap- 
ped waves tumbled over our bow, but the ship 
quickly rose and shook them off. 

" When you see this craft scud," cried the Captain, 
" it will be before a wind that can blow the horns 
from the devil's head." 

The men chewed their hard bread and shook their 
dripping forms in silence. The officers clung to the 
weather-mizzen rigging, issuing their orders through 
the red speaking-trumpet. 

" Look out there, a sea is coming ! hold on every- 
body ! " 



158 Seven Years of a Sailor's Life. 

Tons of water struck the ship. It reeled and 
trembled with the shock, and arose to meet another 
big, towering wave. No fire could be made, or warm 
drink served out to the men, and all on deck, wet 
and chilled, felt dispirited. The howling gale lasted 
three days and nights, and then it calmed away, 
leaving a tumbled sea that tossed us about at its 
mercy. 

A fresh breeze soon fanned our cheeks. New and 
strong sails replaced those that had been blown away, 
and once more we were on our course for Sandy 
Hook. The wet and weary men went to their berths 
in the fo'castle, there to find everything wet, broken, 
and topsy-turvy. Dry goods were all in a heap ; pipes 
broken, tobacco and matches wet through. The port- 
watch had the deck, and the cook was in his galley 
trying to start a fire, with which to dry the gar- 
ments, and make ready a pot of strong coffee for all 
hands. The sun shone brightly on the heaving sea, 
and the ship crept slowly towards the land. We 
gladly bade good bye to Hatteras, after a touch of 
its quality, which it so delights to exhibit to home- 
ward-bounders, knowing that they will appreciate 
calm weather when they get it again. 

Two days after this we had a lovely, fair wind, and 
reeled off the knots at a rapid rate. All eyes were 
strained for a sight of a pilot boat dancing out, and 
at midnight a bright light was seen nearing us. It 
was on board of boat "No. 2," and the little craft 
soon spoke us. 

" Ship ahoy, where you bound ? " 



Seven Years of a Sailor's Life. 159 

" New York." 

" Do you want a pilot ? " 

" Aye, aye, sir." 

Gracefully the schooner dashed up to the ship's 
wake, and the little boat, well manned, pulled for us. 
The pilot was put aboard, and the boat scudded 
back to its place on the deck of the sharp-featured 
pilot vessel. The pilot immediately took charge of 
the ship, and every sail was set that would draw. 

Day dawned upon us, and we were fast running by 
the Jersey shore. An ocean steamer passed, splash- 
ing the blue water into foam with her broad paddle- 
wheels. Outward bound ships, barques, and brigs, 
were beating against the morning wind. The low 
land within sight was part of our native land, and 
that thought filled us with glad emotions. The wind 
died out and came only in faint puffs, dead in our 
teeth. Ahead was a large, black tug boat, bearing 
down on us. She came near and spoke our Cap- 
tain : — 

" What will you charge for a tow up to the city ? " 

" Two hundred dollars," answered the tug. 

" Won't dp it ; I '11 give you one hundred and fifty." 

" Split the difference." 

" Well, give us your hawser." 

The ten-inch hawser of the tug was then made se- 
cure to a light line which flew circling in the air, 
and fell on our forecastle deck. The new stiff haw- 
ser was made fast and parcelled, to keep it from being 
cut, and the tug-boat took a steady pull upon it to 
see that all was right. The hawser was stretched as 



1G0 Seven Years of a Sailor's Life. 

straight as a bar, and our ship moved through the ruf- 
fled water, with its sails unbent and sent down, rolled 
up and stowed away, and the long, heavy yards 
squared ; the rigging was hauled taut, and every rope 
coiled on its proper pin. On went the tug, dragging 
the passive ship along in her frothy wake ; our en- 
sign and colors were flying, and the crew lounging 
over the rail enjoyed the beauty of the day. The 
highlands were soon at hand, and we were cheered 
by sight of the green grass that clothed the hills and 
shores, and the white houses that peeped from groves 
and valleys, while right ahead of us came a large fleet 
of colliers and market boats. 

The crew employed their time in speculating on the 
rousing times they would have as soon as they got 
ashore. Sandy Hook was on our port-bow, as on- 
ward we leaped. It seemed to me that I could walk, 
like Blondin, on the taut hawser, that ran from ship 
to tug. Everybody on board felt the magic influence 
of the shores, that lay bright and green before us. 
The men smoked and chatted ; the Captain and pilot 
walked the deck in earnest conversation, and the 
mates kept their eyes aloft to see that the colors 
blew clear, and that the spars and rigging were in per- 
fect trim. The Chinese steward anxiously inquired, 
" Where de New York ? When we go dere ? " and set- 
tled his mind in the remark, " Me hab one good time." 

" Don't you get shanghied the first day," put in 
the mate. 

" Yes, me go to Shanghie," answered the yellow- 
faced Chinaman. 



Seven Years of a Sailor's Life. 161 

" Yes, I reckon you will ; and to 'Frisco, too, if 
you don't keep those pig eyes of yours open." 

" Ah, no fear ; me all right," was the response, 
and he ran to look at his pots that were boiling over 
on the stove. 

The crew pointed out familiar places, as our rapid 
and straight passage opened new views. Ahead of 
us lay four boats on the water, full of birds of prey, 
in the shape of runners for the sailors' boarding 
houses. All, Jack Tar, you don't know how many 
hands are waiting to grasp your tar-stained, hardened 
flipper that now rests on the rail ; that hand will be 
clasped by every one that can make a dollar from your 
generous nature. There are plenty of smiling faces 
to greet you, and fair, thieving hands to pluck the 
last shiner from your pocket, and then bid you seek 
another ship. 

The health officer inspected us, and as he examined 
the crew, nodded to the Captain, signifying that he 
had approved a bill of health, and on we passed. The 
runners made fast to us and jumped aboard. 

" How are you, Tom, Dick, and Harry? Glad to 
see you." 

The crew led the runners down the forecastle steps, 
and rum-bottles were produced and went the round 
of every mouth. Each runner took two sailors un- 
der his charge, and the men's hands were filled with 
the runners' cards. Fine cigars and plugs of tobacco 
were offered and taken, and the liquor beginning to 
work on the men, they talked on every subject, and 
told all they knew. 



162 Seven Years of a Sailor's Life. 

" Say, bully, who keeps the Home now ? Has Bill 
got out of chockey yet ? " 

" What are the going wages ; and how 're times ? " 

"Is Little Mary in the same place, and what's the 
play at the Bowery ?" 

Another inquired, "Where can I have the most 
fun in the shortest space of time, and how much can 
I get rigged out for ? " 

Questions were rapidly asked and as rapidly answer- 
ed; and, as I expected, one of the runners came to 
me. " Hallo, Charley ; blowed if I saw you before. 
Don't know me? the devil you don't; you and I 
have jogged along Broadway night after night. 
Want some money, cigars or rum ? anything you 
want, here I am." 

" No sir," said I, " I don't want you, your cards, 
or your gifts ; I am capable of taking care of myself, 
in the presence of sea or shore pirates." 

I expected that he would have dashed my teeth 
down my throat, for my bold answer, but he only 
said, with the glaring eyes of a tiger, " My bold pup, 
we '11 have you yet." 

" Sail in," I replied, "I can travel on the angle of 
a diamond as fast as you can." 

" All right," said he, as he joined his companions. 

The mate came to me and said," Stick to the ship, 
and give thos£ hounds the cold shoulder." I was 
sorry to see my chum in their hands, but at length 
I took care of him, and made the runners wild with 
rage in doing so. 

On we went, through the Narrows and past Staten 



Seven Years of a Sailors Life. 163 

Island. The granite forts and black, muzzled cannon 
were on either hand ; the glorious stars and stripes 
waved from every flag-staff and mast, and the proud 
and noble city of New York was before us, with its 
forests of masts, church spires, and towers, its noise 
and bustle. 

The captain of the tow-boat cried out, " cast off 
that hawser," and the runners jumped to do it ; Why 
should Jack Tar work, while such good friends were 
aboard ? The hawser sparkled in the water, as it was 
hauled aboard the boat. The headway of our ship 
was lessening every moment, and soon the great chain 
was rendered over the windlass and ready to run. 

" Let go the anchor," shouted the pilot. " All 
gone sir," responded the mate, as the best bower left 
its shoe. 

The chain rumbled and surged on the windlass, 
as the ship swung head to the tide. We were at 
our journey's end ; ninety-two days of sailing and 
toiling were over, and the ship was safe in port, at 
last. The runners sprang into their boats and left 
the ship, saying to the two men that still remained, 
" Bring those two youngsters, anyhow." 

" You '11 bet I will, drunk or alive," answered the 
runner that I had rejected. 

" Well, see that you do, you will have a gay time 
doing it." 

Supper, of cold beef, tea, and hard bread, was ready. 
One of our own crew, an Englishman, who was a 
bully in the forecastle and a coward in danger, kept 
the beef kid to himself, and when I asked him to 



164 Seven Years of a Sailor's Life. 

pass it round to the men, he cursed me up hill and 
down dale. 

" Oh, you are drunk," said the runner. " Give the 
beef to him." "I'll not do that till I get ready," 
blurted out the bully, as he clasped the kid. 

" You won't ? " I cried. " Pass that beef to me." 
The man jumped at me, and lunged his sharp knife, 
with a murderous stroke, full at my eyes. I dodged 
the keen blade, his heavy hand grazed my car, and 
with the thought that self-preservation is the first law 
of nature, I tripped him up and gave him that which 
satisfied him that I was his master. 

The men shouted, M Bully for you, Ned ; give him 
room according to his strength ;" and the humbled 
man crawled up the ladder minus his teeth, swear- 
ing vengeance, which never came. 

" Don't you think you will go to my house ? " asked 
the runner, addressing me. "No," said I, "I shall 
keep ship, if the officers are willing, and go to the 
Home when I get ashore." 

Our supper disposed of, I ascended the forecastle 
steps and walked the deck, gazing on the gorgeous 
sunset, and laying out plans for the future. Only 
the anchor watch was on deck, and the small lantern 
in the rigging was fast going to sleep. At midnight I 
was relieved of my lookout, and, tired of watching 
the thousands of lights ashore, I coiled myself up on 
the old canvas for rest. The men below were dream- 
ing of jolly times, dashing girls, full tumblers and 
plenty of tobacco. I turned my thoughts to the 
dear ones at home, anxious for the welfare of their 



. Seven Years of a Sailor's Life. 165 

absent, roving boy, and felt grateful for the preserva- 
tion of my life, health, and strength. 

Sleep and reveries were rudely broken by the mate 
who shook my shoulder, saying, " Come, my lad, get 
your peepers open, and hurry the buckets and brooms 
along," and then, handspike in hand, he went to the 
forecastle door. His deep voice rang out on the clear 
morning air, " Come out of that, you sleepy swabs, 
and wash her off." The men with half-closed eyes, and 
slow steps, crawled out from the fo'castle, the mate 
counting aloud each man as he appeared. " Come, 
show yourselves up here in double quick time, or 
I shall fetch you out ; don't think you 're ashore 
yet. Come, heave water there, my bulls, and don't 
have any black looks." 

The work was soon done, and the deck swabbed dry. 
The runners busied themselves in lashing up the 
men's bedding, and all hands slipped on their best 
clothes, and hailed the tug boat with joy. The an- 
chor came to the bow with the chanty of " Oh, Riley, 
Oh," and " Carry me Long," and the tug walked us 
toward the wharf at Brooklyn. Our breakfast was 
rapidly dispatched, and I found myself obliged to 
keep a sharp eye on my little property. The ship 
entered the dock ; the side of our floating home 
rubbed the capsill of the wharf; fenders were put 
over, warps run out, and the runners' teams were 
close at hand, and took the men's luggage away in 
quick time. Most of our men followed their luggage, 
taking French leave of the ship. Thieves from the 
dock swarmed into the forecastle. They stole my 



166 Seven Years of a Sailors Life. 

blankets and bed, but I drove the whole gang of rob- 
bers out, and locked the doors. All but two of the 
crew had left the ship, and were hurrying aboard the 
ferry boat. 

"Bully for you, rny lads," said the mate, "I'm 
glad you are here, pass this quarter and stern fast to 
the big posts on the dock." In an hour's time the 
ship was well secured ; the tug had left us, and we 
found ourselves in company of such vessels as the 
" Free Trade," " Kathay," " Great Republic," and 
" Storm King." The docks were lined with every 
kind of craft, and the wonder of the sea, the " Great 
Eastern," was passing up the harbor. 

At the end of three days, I bade the ship and its 
officers farewell, and the Captain's family parted 
from me with assurances of their respect and friend- 
ship. I followed my luggage to the ferry, and from 
thence to the Sailor's Home, where I felt myself once 
more among true friends and advisers. Money was 
advanced to me, and in an hour's time, by the aid of 
a warm bath, a barber, and a clothes' dealer, I was 
transformed into a spruce looking young man, feel- 
ing in good humor with everybody. I passed up to 
supper, and with a choking sensation in my throat, 
and moist eyes, gave a long look at the substantial 
food and dainties that were piled on the table. No 
more starving or wandering ; something better than 
raw dog for Yankee Ned now, nor will African sand 
harm him any more. A tear was the first drop of 
liquid that entered my plate. With a grateful heart, 
I soon made my way through piles of cold ham, soft 



Seven Years of a Sailor's Life. 167 

bread, and prune sauce. The milk and tea were ex- 
cellent, and the well-dressed sailors done justice to the 
board. 

The third day of my stop at the Home, and visit- 
ing points of interest of New York, I went to the 
ship, where I met the crew assembled to be paid off. 

Some of the men having been eighteen months 
on board, had a good round sum due them. The 
sailors, dressed in citizens' clothes, with their gold- 
plated watches and chains, rings on their fingers and 
oil on their hair, thrust the money loosely and rough- 
ly into their pockets. They will be gentlemen for two 
weeks, and dogs for two years. I bade them all good- 
bye, and with the twenty-seven dollars that I received 
from the ship, paid my bills, and with my chum step- 
ped on board of a splendid steamer, whose broad pad- 
dles winged us swiftly over Long Island Sound to 
Fall River, where the steam horse took us in charge 
and whirled us to the good old city of Boston. It 
was Sunday morning, and as we approached the 
capital of the old Bay State, the chiming of the bells 
sounded pleasantly to our ears, and revived long 
slumbering memories of the past. Reaching the 
depot, the rattling of coaches and the shouting of 
hackmen, started us from our deep thoughts. 
Anxious to reach home in the city of Lynn, eight 
miles distant, we engaged a coach, and was soon riding 
among green hills and verdant fields. In due time 
we reached our little city. As we looked out of our 
lumbering, noisy coach, no one recognized us. Were 
we forgotten ? Not so ; for we were soon at the old 



168 Seven Years of a Sailor's Life. 

door, and familiar faces appeared at the window. Yes, 
all were there ; thank God, just as I left them, hun- 
dreds of days before. I bade my chum good bye, as 
he went further down the road ; and I pulled my chest 
to the side of the road. Loving arms encircled me, 
and friendly hands clasped my own. It was a little 
heaven below, and every one was overjoyed to see 
me once more safe at home. 



/ 



Seven Years of a Sailor's Life. 169 



CHAPTER XVII. 

War is Declared — I Join the Navy — Scenes on Board the " Guardo" 

— Hard Characters — The " Gemsbok" and her Crew — Taking 
in Powder — The " Congress " — Outward Bound — Holy-Stones 
and "Prayer Books" — Fortress Monroe — The Rip-Raps — 
Scenes in the Bay — Prizes — Sailor's Duty — The Mail Bag — 
Hurrying up the Letters — Our Mess Cook — What's Up Now? 

— Departure from Hampton Roads. 




Y name and adventures had travelled faster 
than I had anticipated ; the local papers had 
taken up my brief history, and an account 
of the wreck had been freely circulated. I was 
pleased at this, for it awakened a sympathy for the 
crew, and for sea-faring men in every part of the 
world. The Captain's letter was printed in the daily 
papers and sent to the friends and acquaintances of 
those who were on board the ill-fated vessel. He 
did not hesitate, notwithstanding his recent experi- 
ence, to take a new clipper barque, fresh from the 
builder's hands, and start on another voyage to the 
same dreaded coast, accompanied by his young wife. 
It Was his last voyage in this world, for the hand of 
death laid him and his wife in that foreign land. The 
mate, a young man, took command, and still sails to 
the east coast of Africa. I hauled off from all dan- 
ger in that direction, and was at home, living in com- 
parative ease, waiting for something to turn up, when 
our country was startled from a long repose in peace- 



170 Seven Years of a Sailor's Life. 

ful pursuits, by the boom of Sumter's guns, the echo 
of which made the loyal millions wake to the call of 
" to arms." Without any hesitation, I sought out a 
number of active young seamen, and we all shipped 
in the navy, at the North Square rendezvous, Boston. 
The promptness with which we answered all the ques- 
tions, much pleased the examining officer, and the 
doctor soon had us stripped, and after going through 
a variety of exercises to show off our strength and 
suppleness, we were passed, and directed to the out- 
fitter, by whom we were soon arrayed in the suit of 
dark blue. 

Don't take too many articles ; you have to pay 
for every piece out of your fourteen dollars a month. 
Ah ! many a young heart that was thumping under 
the gay suits of blue that day, was soon stilled for- 
ever, while others, like myself, guarded by the same 
Providence, survived, and left the service in as good 
condition as they entered. 

The wagon was at the door ; the men tumbled in 
with their luggage, and away we went through the 
winding, crowded streets, and into the Navy Yard at 
Charlestown, where we found a huge hulk moored 
fast near the docks. The port-holes were crowded 
with men watching for friends, and endeavoring to 
inhale a bit of pure air, and feel the sunshine. There 
were sixteen hundred men confined between those 
wooden walls, and as hard a set as one would care to 
be among. 

We stepped into the floating ark with our luggage, 
and beheld a sea of faces, and forms clad in navy 



Seven Years of a Sailor's Life. 171 

blue. Our traps were stowed away, and again we 
stripped for an examination by the surgeon. Dozens 
of half-naked men were waiting their turn to be ex- 
amined, and we were glad when the ceremony was 
over. We elbowed our way through the crowd, who 
were pushing, swearing, jostling, and mauling each 
other, and among whom the weak had to go to the 
wall. What a collection of men was there, — the 
gambler, the thief, the clerk, the landsmen, sailors 
and men of all grades had met ; and the low-browed, 
prowling roughs were plenty in that atmosphere of 
crime and vice. The odor of bilge-water, cooking, 
tobacco, and bad air, was constantly assailing our 
nostrils. No wonder the spar-deck was crowded with 
decent men, who could not endure the reeking, putrid 
atmosphere of the berth and gun-decks. 

But we were to get used to all this, sooner or later, 
for we were on the " Guardo." One could easily re- 
cognize the thorough-bred seaman, — he was quiet 
and wary of everybody, while the landsman jumped at 
every bait that was held out to him, and was lost 
in amazement at everything he saw and heard. 

In an effort to ascertain our number of mess and 
hammock, we failed to gain our purpose. We could 
scarcely find a hammock-hook empty, and not fancy- 
ing the crowded lower deck, we ascended to the spar- 
deck. 

The visitors now began to arrive in large numbers. 
Fathers and mothers, brothers and sisters, friends 
and sweethearts crowded upon the after-deck. Among 
these were our parents and friends, who were some- 



172 Seven Years of a Sailor's Life. 

what astonished to see the ship and men. We passed 
many hours in their company, and almost wished our- 
selves in their place, to walk quietly away, with no 
sentry at hand to order us back. As ferry boats 
passed near the ship, we could see many familiar 
faces, and often saluted them, as the boats ploughed 
their way from one shore to the other. We ate but 
little of the navy rations ; the hard-tack, tea and pork 
were the only articles we cared about, and having 
a fair supply of money at our disposal, we purchased 
such other food as we wanted. 

We were not long in learning that these ships, like 
many others, present broad fields for the labors of 
temperance lecturers. How many speakers are pour- 
ing out their eloquence before crowded houses, who 
could put in motion a grand reform, if they would 
take an interest in the seamen. I have seen sailors 
trying every way to keep liquor about them, and 
when " Grog oh" was piped, their eyes would glisten 
as they took their regular nip. A great blessing was 
bestowed upon the sailors, when, the whiskey rations 
were discontinued on government vessels. One step 
more in this direction is called for, and that is a law 
forbidding an officer, high or low, to take liquor to 
sea. 

Recruits were constantly arriving in companies of 
eight to thirty a day, and though the " Fear Not " 
and " Cambridge " took three hundred at one draft 
from our vessel, there seemed to be as many on board 
as ever. Men for the Gemsbok were called for, and 
my chum and myself were lucky enough to be drawn 



Seven Years of a Sailor's Life. 173 

together. "We had been five weeks in the " Guardo," 
when we left the old, clumsy " Ohio " for the jaunty, 
neat, clipper barque which was anchored in the 
stream. " She is a beauty," " I wish I was going in 
that boat," and " My turn will come soon," were the 
expressions we heard as the one hundred and twenty- 
five picked men shouldering their hammocks and bags 
betook themselves to the boats, and were quickly set 
aboard the craft that was to be their home, for how 
long they knew not. 

We saw the muzzle of four sixty-four and two long 
thirty-two pounders projecting from the half-ports. 
Everything was new and clean. "We were told off 
into messes and watches ; new numbers were given, 
and every man, from that hour, was to sling on his 
own hook. We lay in port three days. Scenes of 
great activity were visible around us, in fitting the 
different ships for sea. Amid all this confusion the 
frigate " Congress " arrived from the Brazil station, 
and the uncertainty of human hopes was illustrated 
by an incident which passed almost unnoticed. A 
seaman on board of her fell from the fore-topsail 
yard ; his sheath knife entering his vitals as he struck 
the deck. Thus, in sight of home the storm-tossed 
wanderer expired, and the body given to his friends 
for burial. 

A red flag was flying at the fore on our vessel to 
show that the powder was being taken aboard, and 
during this time no fire was allowed in any part of 
the vessel. This done, we were ready to sail. The 
tug-boat was along side, the anchor on the bow, and 



174 Seven Years of a Sailors Life. 

soon we were gliding down the stream. As -we 
passed the "Congress," the crew mounted the rig- 
ging and cheered us, while letters and papers dropped 
from their waving caps. Three cheers ; and we re- 
turned them, to a man. 

Smoothly we sailed down the harbor, past the 
wharves, and shipping anchored in the stream ; past 
the granite forts, the islands clothed in verdure, and 
inward bound vessels, large and small. Clear sailing 
was ahead. " Lay aloft there, main and fore-topmen." 
" Lay out, cast loose, let fall, and sheet home," were 
the orders that came in rapid succession from the 
first luff. The barque was enveloped in snowy-white 
canvas, from royal to deck ; the tug cast off, and 
returned to the city, carrying hastily-scrawled letters 
and papers ; the fast-fading sun settled below the 
western hills ; we gazed on the receding shore, and 
as the gallant vessel breasted the waves of the wide 
Atlantic, we felt happy in knowing that we were 
away from the confusion and vile associations of the 
guard-ship, with the work of true, patriotic, Ameri- 
can tars before us. 

Everything passed smoothly. The crew were exer- 
cised at the large guns, and sail trimming ; the 
course was laid S. S. W. and away we went spanking 
for Hampton Roads. As night came on, the lands- 
men did not relish standing watch, and myself and 
several others, as substitutes, pocketed a few dollars. 
Sleepy men were roused from between the guns, and 
made to walk the deck and keep awake. An enor- 
mous quantity of sand and water was used on the 



Seven Years of a Sailors Life. 175 

deck. A gang with the holy-stone, and others with 
blocks of sand-stone, christened " prayer books," were 
down on their hands and knees pretty busily em- 
ployed. I was at first placed in the after-guard, but 
was soon told to go up higher, and made a main-top- 
man, on the grade of able seamen. I was next put 
on the main-royal- yard, and it became my special 
duty to look out for that stick in all kinds of weather. 
I had enough of royal yards before I left the blockade. 

We were soon in at Fortress Monroe, and were 
placed far up the river to repel any rebel gun-boat 
that might appear, — a nice place to put a wooden 
ship as a barrier against the approach of rebel iron- 
clads, — but none made their appearance. I was 
soon put into the Captain's gig, for I could swing an 
eighteen-foot oar, and thus had a chance to stretch my 
legs on shore, once in a while. The granite walls, 
the frowning cannon, the sandy shore, and the steamers 
constantly coming and going, had many attractions 
for me. Men-of-war were arriving every day, and the 
Roads began to look lively. The " Rip-Raps " were 
visited by us two days, and hundreds of tons of stone 
brought in the boats to our vessel. The men worked 
all night taking in the ballast, and made the hours 
pass lively by crying to each other, " 0, pass along 
those rip-raps ; we '11 sink the hooker and then the old 
man will be satisfied." At length there was stone 
enough, and we went to the lookouts again, night 
after night. 

The Rip-Raps fort, in its solidity and position, is a 
dangerous obstacle, to an enemy seeking to enter the 



176 Seven Years of a Sailors Life. 

river. Fortress Monroe and the Rip-Raps can bring 
the heaviest of cannon to bear on any vessel seek- 
ing an entrance inside the capes. The frigate " Cum- 
berland" went up the river to shell a rebel battery. 
Neat and trim she appeared to us, as the little tug 
took her in tow, and led her up the yellow stream, — 
the long, black, polished cannon peering from the 
ports, the crew lounging on the gallant forecastle, 
and the hull, and bright metal-work gleaming in the 
sun ; while on the wharf, at the Rip-Raps, glistened 
the slender Sawyer gun that, at the third shot had 
recently sent the tall, rebel flag-staff and flag tumbling 
to the ground at Sewall's Point. 

That night we all lay beside the guns, momentarily 
expecting an attack. The day dawned. The frigate 
"St. Lawrence " came up the bay under full sail, her 
gay ensign dancing in the clear warm air. Closely fol- 
lowing her was the short, dark hull of the " Alba- 
tross," towing a prize schooner that she had lately 
captured. A number of officers of high grade came 
on board, and after a short speech our Captain Voor- 
hees took leave of us, bag and baggage, and Captain 
Cavendy, a large and important appearing personage 
came in command. 

The mail-bag was fast being filled, and men were 
running around, with writing materials in hand. 
" Who will write me a letter ? come on now, quick, 
somebody ; I '11 give a dollar," was the word of a 
blue-jacket who had secured a position to write, but 
could not think of anything to say. 

" What do you want to write ? " 



Seven Years of a Sailor's Life. 177 

" I dunno ; write anything, and then read it to 
me ; " and in two minutes the letter was finished. 
" Bully for you ; that 's just what I was a-going to 
say, only I can't think when I want to. Hold on, — 
just say something to the little gal, — tell her to keep 
her eye peeled for me when my time 's out." Satis- 
fied with the letter, it was sealed with the big, heavy 
fist of the sailor, and off he ran to give it to the of- 
ficer, and was just in time. 

It was at the close of a day, clear and hot, when 
all hands were hard at work in getting the ship ready 
for sea, that we descended to the berth-deck for sup- 
per. The hot, fragrant tea was dipped from the 
mess-kettle, while, a perfect picture of content, the 
cook was seated on a chest, with a piece of pork and 
a hard tack in one hand, and a tin pot in the other. 
Ah, Bolkin, what a knack you had of keeping the 
bread-bag full. Tea, pork, bread and apple-sauce 
made a good supper. Six bells struck ; eight bells 
soon followed, and the shrill whistle of the " bosons " 
rang out on the evening air. 

" What 's up now ? listen ! " 

" All hands up anchor." 

" By thunder, I was just a-going to turn in." 

" What ! is the old man going out to-night ? " 

u Well, I reckon he is, and the sooner you are at 
your station the better." 

The shadows of a September night were flitting 
over the land, and pale-faced Luna was walking the 
sombre heavens. The stars came out, one at a time, 
and the warm wind rose from the west, bringing 



178 Seven Years of a Sailor's Life* 

odors of pine and many wild-wood trees, as we raised 
the anchor to the bow and drifted down the muddy 
stream. A fair position was taken, and the men laid 
on the yards awaiting orders. The ship's head swung 
with the current, as the orders rang out from the 
quarter deck. As if by some magic power, spars, 
which a moment previous seemed bare, were heavily 
clothed with white canvas that gleamed in the moon- 
light. Everything was set fair and square, and away 
we flew, — through the dark lines of gunboats, and 
frigates, lying at anchor in the roads. Our sails cast 
a great shadow that to us appeared like a phantom 
under our lea. No light was to be seen on Cape 
Henry. The long line of trees and sand was plainly 
within sight, and the lights of the shipping twinkled 
and finally faded away. 

The white-capped, rolling ocean was before us, and 
our ship nodded and pitched in the gentle swell. The 
off-watch went below, and we settled down in the old 
monotony of night watches. The watchful lookouts 
sounded their calls from their respective stations, as 
the ship was heading out to sea. We bade good bye 
for a while to Hampton Roads, and welcomed new 
scenes, new joys and perils. 



Seven Years of a Sailor's Life, 179 



CHAPTER XYIII. 

A Fine Run — Capture of a Prize — Water Spouts — In a Gale — 
Washing Up — The Chase — Another Blockade Runner Taken 
— A Yankee Trick — Rebel Pilots a Little out of their Latitude — 
Wilmington Surprised — Arrival of the "Young Rover" — We 
Overhaul a Suspicious Craft — The " Blue Pigeon " Kept on the 
Wing — A Boat Load of Contrabands Appear and Disappear — 
Capture of the " Beverly " — I am Off with the Prize — The 
" Young Rover " mistakes us for a Runner and Captures Us. 




UNDAY morning at daylight we saw a small 
schooner running for the land. Our barque 
was hauled up to the wind, and the white 
spray silvered our path, as we dashed away with an 
eight-knot breeze, and soon the bow-chaser sent a 
thirty-two pound shot humming across her bows. 
She paid no attention to it, but crowded all sail for 
the land. A second shot, which passed between her 
masts, brought her to. She proved to be the Eng- 
lish schooner "Harmony" from Halifax, trying to 
run the blockade with a load of fish, salt, butter, and 
arms. The crew were quite astonished when they 
found that they were prisoners. Four men with an 
officer were sent to the schooner as a prize crew, and 
ordered to report at Philadelphia. The sails were 
trimmed, wheel put up, and our departing shipmates 
gave a farewell wave of their caps as the little craft 
glided away on her return voyage. 



180 Seven Years of a Sailors Life. 

The weather was calm and pleasant, as we drift- 
ed on to the southward. All the talk was of prizes 
and of chasing strange vessels, when suddenly the air 
became close and sultry. Away to the windward a 
dark, low cloud settled. The sea was in great com- 
motion and a column, having all the appearance of 
smoke, twisted and waved between the water and up- 
per air. The column was in the form of an inverted 
cone, having a very large base, and moved like a 
phantom of gigantic proportions, followed by another 
of the same shape, but of less size. 

" Clear away the forward gun." 

" All ready, sir." 

" Aim point blank, — fire." 

The huge globe of iron was hurled from the sixty- 
four pounder, and flew like a black pea, straight for 
the swift-moving water spouts, and striking near them 
caused them to collapse, and with a mighty rush of 
water, return to the ocean. The welcome breeze 
came up and filled every sail. The gun was secured, 
and again we went dipping and bobbing on our regu- 
lar course. 

At night a large vessel, with her battle lanterns 
gleaming through the ports, came down upon us 
under an immense spread of canvas. Our decks 
were cleared for action, the men expecting a lively 
time, but she proved to be a friend, — the frigate 
" Savannah," on a cruise. At midnight we captured 
a schooner with a load of fruit, but found to our 
chagrin that the Navy boys had charge of her, for 
the " Savannah " had taken her that day. That night 



Seven Years of a Sailors Life. 181 

it was hard work to keep the boat in good trim before 
a fierce gale that blew like a hurricane. Robinson, 
one of the crew of the boat, was lifted from his seat 
by the force of the waves, and thrown overboard, but 
escaped a watery grave with only a loss of his cutlass 
and belt. The gale increased. The barque, under 
close reefs, wallowed in the heavy seas, and far away 
we could see the glare of the white waves as they 
overtopped each other, while the royal and top gallant 
yards were sent down, and the guns double lashed. 

The forked lightening played about the masts, the 
crash and rattle of the thunder being terrible to hear, 
and so fierce that at every crash it seemed as though 
the skies were splitting to fragments. How plainly 
visible became every man's face in the bright flashes. 
The warm rain poured in broad sheets, and every 
bucket and tub was filled. As the first flush of dawn 
appeared in the east, the rain had ceased; the bo- 
son's whistle was heard calling " All hands to wash 
clothes," and every man was happy in being able to 
soak and wash his garments in the fresh water that 
came as a blessing during the storm. Scrubbing 
brushes and white-soap did their duty that day, on 
flannel and satinet. The crew scrubbed on the deck, 
with sleeves and trowsers tucked up out of the wet. 

The gunboats " Albatross " and " Cambridge " 
came close upon us, and the respective captains, 
having exchanged compliments, left and headed to 
the southward. We then steered for Cape Lookout, 
with a clear sky, light wind, and choppy sea, and the 
next day sighted the lighthouse, and stood along the 



182 Seven Years of a Sailor's Life. 

shore. The lookout from the fore royal yard reported 
a sail to leeward, heading in shore. All was life and 
bustle ; every stitch of sail was spread, and the lower 
stunsails had a bag of cannon shot attached to them 
in order to make them set better, and with the pumps 
a stream of water was thrown upon the top-sail yard. 

As soon as we were seen, the stranger crowded all 
sail and made an effort to get on the edge of thirty 
fathoms from shore, and thus escape the danger of 
being taken as a prize. But it was of no use ; we 
gained on her like a dolphin after a flying-fish. One, 
two, three shots were fired, the last going through her 
mainsail, obliging her to heave to, and fall into our 
hands, and the " Mary E. Pindar," a secesh schooner, 
was soon flying the Union colors and on its way, as a 
prize, to Baltimore. 

Oar barque was put about and run for the land ; 
no vessel of any kind being in sight, save the prize, 
heading up the coast. We drew rapidly in with the 
shore. The forts that protected the entrance to Wil- 
mington harbor were before us, and yet we sailed 
steadily on, fair in view of the batteries. There 
was no appearance of a man-of-war about us. Flags 
and pennants were concealed. The crew were hid- 
den beneath the rail, except the men who were needed 
to work the vessel, and they were dressed in red 
shirts and old hats. The Captain was the only officer 
visible on the quarter, and a ragged coat concealed 
his uniform and straps. The guns were all run in, 
the ports closed, and a signal for a pilot hoisted at 
the fore. Steadily we kept on our way ; the red-shirts 



Seven Years of a Sailors Life. 183 

clewed up the sails and furled them clumsily, and 
soon the barque was hove to, right in the face of the 
sand hills, and batteries that could at a moment's 
warning, blow us out of water. 

In the distance lay the city of Wilmington, gleam- 
ing in the rays of the setting sun, the large brick 
stores looming up far above the wharves, and a pilot 
boat, containing two men, rapidly approached us. 

" Hallo, Cap', I'm glad to see you ; been looking 
for you this two weeks," shouted the best looking of 
the two. 

"Oh, I am here, after a fashion. Any Yanks 
about ? " answered our Captain, as he seated himself 
on the rail, pipe in hand, and quite unconcerned, " I 
want to be in port as quick as you can put me there." 

"Can't do it till seven o'clock, Cap'. If you are 
loaded with coffee you '11 have a good market. When 
did you leave Rio Janerio ? " 

Their boat was made fast to our side, and the pilots 
stood on their seat, bare-legged and happy. 

" Come aboard, my boys, and take a cup of tea ; I 
see you aint in any hurry to go on." 

" That 's so, Cap' ; we 're all right, any how." 

They ran up the ladder and stood on the quarter- 
deck. What a look of amazement was suddenly depict- 
ed on their faces ; their tongues seemed fastened to the 
roofs of their mouths, as they realized that they were 
deceived, kidnapped men* The Captain, with a re- 
volver in hand, pointed to the deck, motioned for 
them to descend, and they did so. 

" Don't be alarmed, my lads, you are on a Union 



184 Seven Years of a Sailor's Life. 

gunboat now ; we won't hurt you if you behave, but 
keep a still tongue in your head, or I '11 tie you to the 
yard-arm." 

This was the old man's warning to the sad, de- 
sponding men. We all lay quiet until the ship was 
put about ; and the people on the shore thought every 
thing right so long as the pilots were aboard. A 
steady wind came fresh and pure down the river. 
We were about a gun-shot from the forts and water 
defences, when the Captain waved his hand, and in- 
stantly all the officers and men sprung to the rigging 
and cheered in the faces of the astonished rebs on the 
shore. The Union colors danced from every spar on 
our vessel. 

" Cast loose and provide," was the order. 

"Load with shell, — ready, two points abaft the 
beam, — fire !" 

The smoke rolled away, as the shells from our six- 
ty-four pounder went like thunderbolts among the 
rebs, and it was full ten minutes before they could 
sufficiently recover from their astonishment to fire 
their guns. Even then they were too much excited 
to fire accurately, and their solid missiles only sent 
the water spouting in the air. We then gave them a 
farewell shot, and with a cheer that sounded loud 
and long, we sailed off, scot free, with flying colors. 

The pilot boat, built of red cedar, and copper fast- 
ened, was hoisted aboard and stowed on top of the 
galley. It was twenty-three feet long, splendidly built, 
and was of some service to us during our cruising, as 
it was admirably suited to the creeks and bays ; but in 



Seven Years of a Sailors Life. 185 

course of time its frailty rendered it useless, and it 
was split up for kindling wood, and myself and others 
amused ourselves, and occupied our otherwise idle 
moments in making models of ships from the soft 
wood of which it was built. 

As for the pilots, they took their capture rather dis- 
paringly, and growled constantly at being torn from 
their homes and families. But growling did not bet- 
ter their fortunes, and they were soon put in mess 
No. 10, and were joined to the ship as ordinary seamen. 
They took the oath of allegiance in fear, and after a 
time became good Union men, and a great help to us 
on our expeditions. 

We stood along the coast until we came to Bouge 
inlet, which was our regular station, and seeing a 
steam-barque approaching, we cleared for action. We 
had suspicions that it might be the " Sumter," but 
it proved to be the gun-boat " Young Rover," from 
Boston, on a cruise. She brought us papers and letters 
that were very welcome, then bore away to the south- 
ward and soon disappeared from our view, although 
where we stood was her appointed cruising ground. 

We next chased a large ship, the " James Thomp- 
son ; " overhauled her, and not finding anything sus- 
picious, she was allowed to proceed on her voyage. 
At dusk we sighted the " Young Rover," steaming 
to the eastward. Sounding was now the order of 
exercise, night and day, and the voice of the leadsman 
was heard all the time. The " blue pigeon " was the 
subject of some rather plain talk, and every man who 
oould throw a lead had his two hours in the chains, 



186 Seven Years of a Sailor's Life. 

engaged in the monotonous occupation of keeping that 
bird on the wing. A fearful gale next drove us in the 
direction of the gulf stream, and as the men could not 
get an " up and down sound," the Captain ordered 
the deep sea-lead and line prepared. This weighed 
nearly forty pounds, upon which an additional weight 
consisting of sixty-four pounds of shot was netted. 
The men had been hauling the line all night and were 
rather out of sorts, for they knew there was water un- 
der the keel to the depth of more than thirty fathoms. 
The Captain would not be satisfied. He dipped the 
glass, and felt the water, and after all, threw the 
mass of lead and iron from the stern. A long suc- 
cession of white bubbles followed the line into the 
sea, ninety fathoms and no bottom ; new lines were 
bent on, and one hundred and sixty fathoms run out, 
but no bottom was touched ; then the Captain ordered 
the line to be hauled in and stowed away, knowing 
that the gulf stream could be sounded for miles and 
yet no soundings secured. The men rolled their cuds 
of tobacco in their mouths as they gladly hauled in the 
line. After this the " blue pigeon " was seen flying 
only when the barque was in sight of land. 

It was a cool October day, and we lay at anchor, 
off Beaufort, N. C, the land being about four miles to 
windward, when we saw a boat badly managed, loaded 
with contrabands, coming toward us, a white shirt 
flying from the mast-head as a flag of truce. We 
hove up our anchor, got underway, and tacked to pick 
them up, but looked for them in vain ; negroes and 
boat had disappeared. We cruised about to pick up 



Seven Years of a Sailor's Life. 187 

any who might remain alive, but not one was found. 
Soon after, a man at the look-out announced a sail to 
leeward. We chased her, and finding it to be the 
Young Rover, we returned and anchored in seven 
fathoms of water. In the morning we weighed 
anchor, and the Young Rover, after cruising a week 
with us, and finding no prizes, steamed for " Frying 
Pan Shoals," while we went back and dropped our 
anchor near the Cape lighthouse. 

The next morning, for dropping a heavy block from 
the top, and denting the deck, I was sent to the royal 
yard, to keep the look-out all the forenoon, as punish- 
ment. I went slowly enough up the rigging, blaming 
myself for my carelessness, and caring not whether 
any sails were in sight or not. I was looking listlessly 
from my cool, lofty perch, into the town of Beaufort, 
when, turning suddenly on the yard, I saw, crawling 
for the land, through the gray mist of the morning, a 
large schooner with every sail set. With all the power 
of my lungs I shouted, " Sail, Ho." The officers had 
the windlass manned, and the sails all loosed before 
the Captain could get on deck, and in ten minutes 
time the ship was under a cloud of canvas, trying to 
head off the strange craft. I looked down on the 
busy scene below me, and felt tip-top. How the cool 
air rushed by my head as I passed an arm round the 
mast, and watched this exciting chase. The English 
flag flew from the main peak of the fleeing vessel. 

" Oh, you are a good prize, fast enough ; slap a 
shot into her, Mr. Lunt, if she don't heave to, soon." 

The Captain was excited. " What water have you 
got?" 



188 Seven Years of a Sailors Life. 

" And by the deep, four," drawled the leadsman. 

" And a quarter less four," came the regular song. 

"Ready, forward — fire." The lock string was 
jerked, and the iron messenger spoke in strongest 
terms to the English runner, " You must heave to." 
Down came her flying-jib, and down dropped the 
main-peak. 

" Lay down from aloft, Ned, and go in your boat." 

I was in the gig as she struck the water, and the 
next moment slipped around the ship's stern, and 
away we pulled for the prize. We boarded her, and 
in a wink of an eye she had changed hands — a good 
prize to our barque. She was the " Beverly," of 
Halifax, N. S., fitted to run the blockade, and loaded 
with salt, powder, clothing, dry goods of all kinds, 
and a few kegs of butter. 

On returning to the barque, my name was called 
first as one of the prize crew to work her to Balti- 
more. I was highly pleased at this fine chance to 
change the dullness of man-of-war life, and with four 
of our crew, an officer, and three prisoners we took 
in the " Harmony," I followed my bag and hammock 
to the schooner. The sun was out hot. The ocean 
was slightly ruffled by a gentle wind, as we ran up 
the jib and main-peak, trimmed the light sails, and 
bore away for the North. This schooner-working was 
play to me, and I was all right as far as good living 
and easy times were concerned. 

The barque wore round on the opposite tack, and 
at sunset was almost out of sight. The night shut 
down dark, warm, and calm. I had a good supper 



Seven Years of a Sailors Life. 189 

under my jacket, and turned in for two hours of 
sleep. At midnight I was on deck, lounging over 
the iron wheel, and conversing with the master's- 
mate, when we saw a line of flame shoot from a gun, 
and a shot whizzed across our bows. The flash re- 
vealed a gunboat steaming up to us, and the laughing 
crew grouped at the guns. Their boat boarded us, 
and claimed us as a prize, but had the laugh turned 
on them as our officer confronted the boarding party. 
A yell of derision went up on the calm night air, and 
the disappointed boat's crew returned in mortifica- 
tion and anger to the " Young Rover." 



190 Seven Years of a Sailors Life, 



CHAPTER XIX. 

A Dismal Storm — At Fortress Monroe — Off with the Prize to 
Baltimore — A Growling Pilot — Contrasted Scenes — Jack Tar 
and his Prize Money — Transferred— The Louisiana — Hawking 
Chestnuts— On Board the Minnesota— Good Order — Neat and 
Trim — Companion in my African Captivity, on Board — A Happy 
Meeting — Fate of my Old Friend — The Gemsbok — Bad Reports 
— Exit of Incompetent Officers. 

T held calm all night, and in the morning no 
sail was in sight. As the sun arose, a gentle 
^p2<> breeze sprung up, and after guying out the 
booms, we laid down on the top of the house and 
sunned ourselves. We kept a sharp lookout for fish, 
and occasionally managed to take a few, with raw 
pork for bait. On the second day after leaving the 
barque, we found ourselves among masses of gulf 
weed, and we drew in bunches of it, glistening with 
round berries, and alive with the little sea insects that 
dropped and squirmed from the yellow branches. A 
large turtle was seen floating on the water : but he 
dove and disappeared before we could reach him. 
One of our crew was appointed cook, and there being 
a great plenty of provision aboard, we lived well. 

On Sunday the officer read prayers, from his book, 
and a chapter from the Bible, but the men paid little 
attention to the formal service, prefering to watch the 
dolphins swimming around the vessel. The weather 




Seven Years of a Sailor's Life, 191 

continued mild, with light, variable winds, and the 
course steered was N. N. E., in order to clear the Hat- 
teras' shoals. The gun-boats " Cambridge/' and 
" Monticello," boarded us, and gave to our keeping 
their letter bags. The fair wind which we had 
during the day, at night piped and ripened for a 
gale ; still on we scudded, making the most of the 
welcome Sou'-wester, and did not reef until the next 
morning. 

Suddenly the wind lulled, and the schooner rolled 
and slatted in the running sea, the wind coming in 
squalls from the Nor'west, and, in four hours time it 
settled into a gale. The mainsail was furled, and 
preventer sheets put on the fore boom. New lashings 
secured the sail and booms, and going to the wheel, 
I rolled it down, while two men eased off the fore- 
sheets. She was thus hove to, and rode the gale out 
bravely, though it blew so furiously that no one could 
look to the windward, more than a minute at a time. 
The sail stood all the blasts, and it gave us joy to see 
everything hold so good and strong. 

An additional man was at the wheel, day and night, 
ready to put up the helm and scud her if the case re- 
quired it. At length the wind abated ; the storm- 
tossed craft could set a little more sail, and head up to 
the land. The green and white rollers grew smaller 
each hour, and then the sun's rays burst in gorgeous 
splendor over the heaving sea. Stray vessels were 
met, showing spare sail, and the Nor'-wester was at 
an end. 

In taking an observation at noon, we found we had 



192 Seven Years of a Sailor's Life. 

drifted eighty miles to the eastward of Hatteras, and 
as soon as prudent, we clapped on all sail to make 
up for lost time. My only duty was to steer the last 
half of the night, but one fine afternoon I rigged a 
lead, took soundings, and found we had fifteen fath- 
oms of water, and a fine sandy bottom. I went to 
the fore-cross-trees and could distinguish, far away, 
the loom of the land, by compass bearing, N. W., and 
returned to the deck, assured that we should see Cape 
Henry the next day ; and at daylight its low, sandy 
shore was in full view. The wrecks of two vessels 
lay on the beach, and the lighthouse looked like a 
ghostly and battered sentinel, whose glory had de- 
parted. 

The pilot boat " Coquette " boarded us, transferred 
a pilot to our deck, and in a few hours we were an- 
chored off the wharf at Fortress Monroe. We lay 
there two days, repairing the little damage the gale 
had done, cleaning the rusty guns and pistols, for 
which we had no use, and lying on the house, 
watched the ever-changing scenes in the harbor ; then 
quietly weighed anchor and sailed for Baltimore. 

The pilot we had was a cross-grained, stubborn 
piece of humanity, and the men told him to " go to 
the devil " each half hour, complimenting him with 
the remark, — "Anybody can take a schooner up 
Chesapeake Bay, and pilots for Government vessels 
are nuisances." Yet with all the efforts of the pilot 
to clear shoal water the schooner was run aground a 
dozen times before we reached the fort on the river. 

We saw thousands of ducks on the surface of the 



Seven Years of a Sailors Life. 193 

bay, or rising from the reedy shores, and pleasant it 
was to us to sail past the land with its hills clothed in 
verdure, and to look upon the farmers' houses so cosily 
settled among the trees. Occasionally we heard heavy 
cannonading, the warm Sou'wester bringing it plainly 
to our ears. 

The beauty of the shore was in strange contrast 
with the scenes on ship-board. The pilot was at the 
shakey wheel, spurting tobacco juice on the deck, and 
otherwise exercising himself in dodging the large 
steamers and outward bound ships that were being 
towed down the bay. The cook in his seven-by-nine 
hole was making some " burgoo " for dinner, dirty as 
a sea-cook could be, and forcibly reminding us that 
if sailors died as soon as they had eaten their peck 
of dirt, but few would be long in existence. Will 
the Navy boys ever forget this little voyage and its 
incidents ; 

With Thompson, Johnson, Beckett, and Ball : 
And " Sally Back," the Captain of all ? 

We went on famously. The river " pungies " 
rushed past, and sharp steering was required in order 
to avoid the oyster, market, and fishing boats that 
were crowded on our course. We passed them all safe- 
ly ; soon the health officers came aboard, and after an 
examination, reported our crew " as healthy as pigs ;" 
then with the wind and tide in our favor, we glided 
smoothly up .the harbor. The shrill notes of the fife, 
with the roll of the drum sounded cheerily on the mild 
evening air. What a strange medley was about us, — 



194 Seven Years -of a Sailor's Life. 

the scream of the engine whistle, the dash of the 
steamer's propeller, the long line of deeply-laden 
barges, the men-of-war lying at anchor, black-hulled 
and grim with cannon, and the fall of the bunting 
at sunset. 

We lowered our sails and dropped anchor near the 
guardo " Alleghany," and then furled the canvas 
to the booms, and cleared the deck so that we might 
appear respectable. Our officer was soon ashore, and 
in less than an hour the schooner was snugly moored 
to the pier, and we had no more to do with the cap- 
tured vessel. What a glorious opportunity has Jack 
Tar to get an insight into the " tricks of trade " be- 
fore any of the prize money he bravely earns comes 
into his possession. He is humbugged by agents, 
lawyers, and government rogues so persistently and 
thoroughly that the " big pile " he so fondly looks for 
as his own is reduced to a very small one. 

The people scarcely realize the value of that living 
wall, which in the hour of our country's danger, was 
reared on the Atlantic coast. Too much credit can- 
not be given to the soldier and sailor at any time ; 
and those haughty, conceited people, who were wont 
to exclaim " Only a private/' " Only a common sail- 
or," may yet be obliged to own the superiority of those 
humble, brave, and glorious bands of men. 

" Come, get aboard the tug with your luggage. 
Good bye, old boat. Where is old Sally Back ? Say, 
Cap', where are we going now ? " 

"Well, my lads, you are going to the Louisiana, 
and then to the Minnesota. 



Seven Years of a Sailors Life. 195 

Bang, slap bang, walked the propeller, through the 
muddy water, and soon we reached the high side of 
the transport " Louisiana." There were five of us who 
were to be transferred to the forty-four gun frigate, 
our master's mate having left for parts unknown. 
Up we went, bag and hammocks, and were properly 
stowed away. 

" See the beef critters on the forward deck. Oh, 
I wish I was on my dad's farm in Stoneham," was 
the first exclamation of Johnson. 

" Well, there is a goodly number of ladies here, I 
wonder if they are religious, or going to the hospital," 
sagely remarked the ever soft-hearted, dirty, and timid 
Ball, while Beckett and myself busied ourselves hunt- 
ing after " Sally Back," and a supply of tobacco. 
"We started to go ashore, when the guard gently drop- 
ped the bright barrel of his gun in our path. " Can't 
help it, boys ; that officer of yours said, ' Don't let 
my men leave the ship,' " and we walked back again 
over the gangway plank, but soon found a messen- 
ger, in the shape of a negro, who was selling roasted 
and boiled chestnuts. 

" Say, old fellow." 

" Yes, marsa." 

" Just you run up street and, buy us pipes and to- 
bacco, and I'll take your place and sell the nuts till 
you return." 

He kindly accepted my proposition and started 
on his errand. I took his stand, and portrayed, in 
a loud voice, the virtues of boiled chestnuts, to the 
passengers, till the stock in trade was all sold. The 



196 Seven Years of a Sailor's Life. 

people appeared to relish my hawking talents, and I 
was enabled to give the contraband quite a collection 
of small change, all of which mightily pleased him, 
and I received a perfect shower of honest thanks. 

Our officer did not appear, and we felt indignant 
at his forgetfulness of us, and the question came up 
as to what we were to do, for food and rest. I soon 
settled this by applying to the lieutenant of the boat, 
a soldier and a gentleman. 

" Well, boys, your officer was unfair to leave you 
in such a way ; he should have gone with you to the 
frigate ; but I '11 give you your meals and lodging, 
and that is all I can do." 

This was all we wanted ; and, thanks to his kind- 
ness, we were provided with food and accommodations 
as generously as the passengers. 

In the evening, while the steamer was ploughing 
her way through the calm waters of the bay, I strolled 
to the upper deck, to have a smoke by myself, and 
was joined by a lady and her husband, who saw me 
peddling the chestnuts, and in their company the 
evening passed pleasantly away. 

The steamer, with its lofty chimneys towering far 
above the long, white hull and yellow painted wheel 
houses, moved swiftly on its way, the dark shores 
gradually faded into one long, black line, as we 
emerged into the open bay, and I descended the lad- 
ders, retired to my berth, and had just time to catch 
a cat-nap before the gong sounded for breakfast. 
Well I knew it was the last bite of steak and soft 
bread I should receive for many a month to come. 



Seven Years of a Sailors Life. 197 

All was dark on deck, but light and life in the cabin. 
Long tables were filled with passengers who were do- 
ing justice to the dainty viands. 

The steamer rounded old Point Comfort, and in a 
few moments the Minnesota's barge was alongside. 
The floating palace was moored to the wharf, and 
the passengers hurried, like so many wild school boys, 
in every direction. We followed our hammocks and 
bags to the boat ; the double banked oars were lifted 
and dropped with one motion, and straight across the 
stream we were borne to the frigate, whose fabric of 
rope and spars loomed up like a monster cobweb, in 
the dull haze of the November morning. The air 
was cool and bracing, but well we knew that at noon 
the sun might scorch us with its furious glare, and 
at night an extra flannel undershirt might be wel- 
comed as a protection against the heavy night dew. 

We reached the Minnesota in good time. The 
oar-blades were laid in ; the bow-man fastened his 
boat-hook to the ring bolt, or boat warp, and ascended 
the well-scrubbed steps to the spar deck. We were 
soon assigned a mess, and a place to put our luggage. 
There were many prize men aboard, — nine hun- 
dred men, all told. Everything was ship-shape about 
the hull and rigging. The eleven inch forward gun 
was polished to a jet black, as, also, were the bat- 
teries on the spar and gun decks. The rule seemed 
to be, — " a place for everything and everything in 
its place," and a rule that was well observed. Piles 
of shot, grape and cannister met the eye. Men were 
walking the white, spotless deck, in twos and threes. 



198 Seven Years of a Sailor's Life. 

Others were squatted about the guns, for the deck 
was yet damp, else they would all have been sewing 
on various garments. Each one knew his work and 
his station, and that to do his duty, keep civil and 
clean was the order of the day, and all that was ex- 
pected. 

Men were washing the. sleep from their eyes with 
salt water ; the contrabands were wringing swabs, 
and scrubbing the copper hoops on the spittoons ; and 
the cross old boatswain was watching all the opera- 
tions ; the fragrance of pure coffee and " scouse " 
arose from the many mess cloths, and soon the 
shrill whistle piped the men to breakfast. But not 
wishing a second meal, I went forward for a smoke. 
The jleck was nearly deserted of men, and the quar- 
ter-master walked the bridge with steady tramp. 

" Hallo," I suddenly exclaimed, " who is that fel- 
low coming down the deck quite unconcerned about 
his grub ? Bridges, is that you ? " 

" Yes, thank God, I see you again." 

" How are you, Coast of Africa ? Well, who would 
have thought of seeing you? When did you get 
home, and leave ? " 

He told me all of his adventures ; that he had left 
Aden in the English ship "Annie ; " went to London, 
from thence to Quebec, in Canada, and walked from 
there to his home in Beverly. 

I was truly glad to see him, from the bottom of my 
heart, and while in the Minnesota we were always 
together. Poor Jack ! a rebel bullet sent his brave 
spirit out of this world while doing duty on the 



Seven Years of a Sailor's Life. 199 

Carolina river, and his bones lay for a long time in 
Plymouth graveyard, until kind hands removed them 
to the place that was his boyhood's home. May the 
dews gently fall on his grave, and on the graves of 
every other patriot, from the Atlantic to the Pacific 
shores ; and may the spirits of those noble soldiers 
and sailors, as they wing their way to brighter worlds, 
be able to say, " Our bodies were not sacrificed in 
vain." 

The days wore slowly on ; an attendance upon in- 
spection or drill, and muster, comprised all our duty. 
The pie boat came every day, and those men whose 
good fortune it was to have loose money, laid in an 
abundant supply of such fancy rations. Cards, props, 
and tetotum were always in motion in sly places. 
Thieves abounded ; a proof of which I had, when on 
going to my clothes-bag one night, I found two pounds 
of tobacco, and a black silk neck-tie gone. I told 
no one of my loss, for it would have done no good ; 
and the next time I went to open the bag I found a 
new pair of pants, and shirts rolled together. I put 
them on and wore them out in time. 

Prize crews were constantly coming to the frigate ; 
and one day, as I lounged by the big gun, I saw a 
barque, under full sail, flying up the bay. It was the 
" Gemsbok." I could not mistake that high, black 
bow, and the tasty figure-head of "Miss Gemsbok," 
as the old tars used to call the dashing wooden girl 
under the bowsprit. I have seen the men sit on the 
dolphin striker guys and look, for hours at a time, at 
that pretty figure-head. 



200 Seven Years of a Sailor's Life. 

In came the barque, with flags well displayed, 
and the swelling canvas taking her over the muddy 
stream at a flying pace. She dipped her colors as 
she shot past, and as sail after sail was clewed up, 
and the wheel rolled down, she lessened her headway, 
and slowly backed astern. Then splash went the big 
anchor. The chain tautened at thirty fathoms, the 
men clustered in the tops, and the next moment lay 
out on the black yards, and the hemp was speedily 
put out of sight against the wood. The barque sent 
her boat to the frigate to report and take us aboard. 

" How do you prosper, now-a-days, my lads ? " 

" 0, you hold on till you get aboard ; the barque 
is a prison afloat. We have kept cruising day and 
night, and if I had had your chance, I should have 
run away." 

"Anybody died ? " I asked. 

" No ; nor we have n't seen a prize since you left. I 
hope the Captain will put you back to the gig ; then 
you will get enough of pulling about." 

" Lay along here, you prize men, get your luggage 
and go in the boat." In a few minutes we were at our 
own vessel's side. The Captain was watching us, pipe 
in hand, as usual. " Ah, my men, you 're all alive ; 
go to your duties." We were astonished at the over- 
bearing disposition of the young officers. The crew 
were sulky and quarreling, and the orders were given 
by the officers as if they were despots in command of 
a gang of cringing slaves. What had made the 
change ? 

"I'll tell you, Ned," said one of the men to me, 



Seven Years of a Sailor's Life. 201 

" we were ready to rise and throw the first and second 
lieutenant overboard, take the barque and go pirating, 
if we had not come here. We will make those hounds 
leave the ship in disgrace in less than two days. Mark 
my words and see if we don't." 

The complaints were laid before the admiral-; As 
the mortified officers addressed the men, scoffs and 
groans were freely given in return, and, as they left 
the ship forever, the crew sprung into the rigging, and 
gave three hearty groans, and, in doing so, aroused 
all the vessels at anchor. Old quids of tobacco 
and curses followed them, and then the Captain came 
to the break of the poop and made a fine speech on 
future behavior. After this the men conducted them- 
selves with all honor. 

The barque was the better for having got rid of these 
three officers. One of them had but little sense ; the 
others in their own estimation, knew too much for 
their own good. One of the latter told the men he 
was a " tiger," and proved it by his conduct ; and the 
other made the men go aloft in shirt-sleeves during 
the coldest weather. I have seen officers of the Navy, 
choice young upstarts, who did not know how many 
ropes there were in a ship, who could not draw up a 
day's work, keep a log, or steer a ship, put in com- 
mand over men who had passed their lives at sea ; 
and yet" the articles" were read over every Sunday, 
until the men had " death if you draw or offer to 
draw, strike or offer to strike a superior officer " so 
stamped on their memories, that the word " officer " 
filled them with hatred. " I '11 lay my life down for 



202 Seven Years of a Sailors Life, 

such a one," and " I '11 see that devil sink before I '11 
help him," were every-day exclamations. Men are 
men ; not brutes, as some people seem to think. 
Treat a man like a man, and he knows it; but act 
towards him as though he was a dog, and you will 
receive a dog's usage, and deserve it. 




i Seven Years x of a Sailors Life. 203 



CHAPTER XX. 

Off before a Nor'wester— A Gale — Suspicious Steamers — "A 
Full-Rigged Brig " in View — Every Sail in Service — We Rapidly 
Approach our Game and find that we have been Chasing a Light- 
house — Auction Sale of a Letter — Beaufort — Cruising — A 
Practical Joke — " To Grease we Give our Shining Blades" — 
Foraging for Fresh Beef— A Skirmish with the Rebels. 



\WW E were in Hampton Roads a week, and hav- 
MmJ ing taken in water and stores, sailed with a 
fair wind. The Burnside Expedition sailed 
on the same day. As we passed Cape Henry we saw 
a large brig, high and dry, ashore. We dashed away 
before a cold Nor'-wester, and in eighteen hours from 
the time we lifted anchor, had the light yards and 
spars sent down. The gale raged with unabated fury. 
We had the barque under a close-reefed main-topsail, 
and with preventer braces on the yard, flew on the 
waves, straight as an arrow from a bow. We out- 
ran every other vessel, and at daylight the gale broke 
and we cleared Cape Hatteras without loss. 

Three days after this heavy blow, there was a still, 
dead calm. The ship lay with every sail flat to the 
mast, and a warm, cheerful sun overhead. The man 
on the lookout reported two steamers fast bearing 
down on us, so we cleared for action, clewed up the 
sails, and double-shotted the guns. On came the sus- 
picious steamers; their colors hung so low in the 



204 Seven Years of a Sailor's Life. 

calm, dead air, that we could not tell whether they 
were flags or not. As they rushed past our vessel and 
laid on our port-hand, their long thirty-two's looked 
us fair in the eye. What a load was taken from our 
hearts when they announced themselves as the United 
States gunboats " Connecticut" and " New London " 
on a cruise. How happy we felt when the old flag 
danced out on the light breeze ; for had those steamers 
been rebel gun-boats we should have been entirely at 
their mercy. 

We were soon favored with a fair wind that bore 
us to the westward, and the lookout reported a sail 
ahead. In a few moments the second lieutenant had 
his glass up aloft, and announced, with much joy to 
the deck, " A full rigged brig running with all sail 
for the land." All the other officers except the Cap- 
tain were equally excited, and drove the barque as 
fast as they could. The Captain let them have their 
own way, and smiled grimly when the officer of the 
deck told the helmsman to " steer straight into a mos- 
quito's eye." Stunsails caught every breath of air ; 
everything was braced to a hair, and we gained rapid- 
ly on the supposed brig. At sunset the Captain gave 
the order, " Brace up sharp, and take in stunsails." 
Then the officers saw through their mistake, and dis- 
covered by their glasses that we had been chasing the 
tall light-house of Cape Lookout all the afternoon. 
The Captain knew it all the time, and thought the 
men might have a little exercise, and the officers a 
chance to find out the blunder they had made. . 

We continued on our way with gentle breezes, and 



Seven Years of a Sailor's Life. 205 

at daylight sighted a barque near the land. All sail 
was placed on our vessel, and, to our surprise, the 
stranger came down on us with full sail. The Union 
banner danced from her spanker-gaff, and the long 
" coach whip " proclaimed her a Yankee gunboat. 
We had cleared for action, and would have been 
pleased if she had proved an enemy, but it was the 
gunboat " Fernanclina," a dark, piratical looking 
craft that sailed like a witch. 

We ran down the coast under light sail, and had 
fine weather for a week longer. Our barque was in 
splendid trim, and all went smooth. In making the 
crow's-foot fast to the awning I fell, for the first time 
at sea, and struck heavily on the signal chest. Friend- 
ly arms carried me to my hammock, and I laid there 
a week before I could " turn to " again. 

The steamer " Mt. Vernon " came to us, and let- 
ters were expected ; but only two came aboard, one 
to the Captain and one to myself. I had great sport, 
as I sat up in the hammock, and the men crowded 
around, wanting to buy my letter. 

"Is that from a girl, Ned ? " 

" Yes ; one I used to know." 

" I '11 give you a dollar for it, just to read ; you 
shall have it back again." 

There were fifty men, full of fun, at hand, and 
bound to see that letter ; so I put it up at auction, 
and when the bid reached five dollars, I quietly hand- 
ed to the excited young man the precious note, and 
tucked the currency into my wristband. That letter 
was sold and resold until the game was all played 
out, and the fun ended. 



206 Seven Years of a Sailors Life. 

We had fine cruising weather, with now and then 
a thunder storm, and, as we sagged down the coast, 
saw the wreck of the transport " Union " on the low, 
sandy beach. Glasses soon discovered a large con- 
course of rebels busily engaged in plundering the 
stranded hull. We moved forward rapidly like an 
albatross, and, as we neared them, let fly the whole 
of our starboard division. The death-dealing globes 
of iron sent the wood work of the steamer flying in 
showers of splinters, and the rebs ran up the beach, 
their coat-tails flying so straight behind them that a 
person could have played dominoes on their skirts. 
A score of them had sought shelter in the steamer's 
hull, and as the thirty-two's and cannister rattled 
among the wheels and smoke stacks, they must have 
thought the very devil himself had struck them. 

We luffed up to the wind, and gave them the con- 
tents of the port-battery, which cleared the beach of 
every gray-back and horse, and then we threw a few 
sixty-four pound shells into the shrubbery to have 
them understand that we knew where they had been 
hiding. Having thus cleared the beach and woods, 
we landed in the cutter; set fire to the wreck, and 
the next day nothing was left but the wheels and 
heavy machinery. We then beat back to Bouge In- 
let, cast anchor for the night, and the next day cruised 
twenty miles off shore, then returned and anchored 
at the South channel, off Beaufort. 

There were two ships, a barque, and a few small 
schooners, penned up in the port, waiting an opportu- 
nity to run through the fleet, but they never had the 



Seven Years of a Sailor's Life. 207 

courage to come out. The ships moved down to the 
fort and lay there, drying- their sails every pleasant 
day, for the six months during which our gun-boat, 
single-handed, kept them blockaded, and when the 
fort and town surrendered, they became lawful prizes 
to the government. 

Every day we cruised down the land, and at dark 
reefed topsails, and anchored. The gun-boats " Bra- 
zelerio," and "Amanda," joined us, and a sharp 
lookout was kept all along the coast, with nothing on 
shore to greet the eye but dark green pines, and ridges 
of sand. At one time it was bitter cold on the top- 
gallant cross-trees for the men on the watch, and at 
another, in the same week, the men would sweat and 
lie in the shade. The warm, balmy, Southern air was 
redolent with fragrance, but the Nor '-westers sweep- 
ing down over the pine woods, laden with the North- 
ern snows, were enough to chill the marrow in our 
bones. 

No fires were allowed to be kept on the vessel, ex- 
cept in the cook's galley, and after supper even that 
was put out, yet still some heat remained, and the 
galley proved a grand place for the sailors to creep 
into of a bitter cold night. Men on the deck look- 
outs kept warm by walking their stations. Those in 
the tops, after everything was qniet, encased them- 
selves in the bunts of the staysails, and kept their 
heads out, crying their lookout every half hour. 

The idlers on deck sought the galley one cold, 
stormy night, to pass the time away till their lookout 
came. The vessel lay at anchor, and rolled heavily. 



208 Seven Years of a Sailor's Life. 

Twenty men were packed around the cook's stove, and 
three lay on it, when some evil-disposed person made 
them prisoners by tying the sliding doors together. 
Bad air and tobacco smoke made the men bestir 
themselves, and in the hard jostling that ensued, some 
unlucky wight capsized a barrel of slush. Curses, 
not loud but deep, followed, and all tried to emerge 
from the sad plight in which they found themselves. 
They could not keep their feet on the metalic floor, 
for grease was in profusion. The vessel rolled, and 
kept most of the number on their backs, and at length, 
when patience, curses, strength and slush were* ex- 
hausted, the doors slid back, and the watch on deck 
warmed themselves with laughter to see the men 
make their exit, attired in their new uniforms of pot- 
skimmings and fat. The galley was molested no 
more by night watches ; and it took the cooks a long 
time with sand and hot water for assistants, to 
cleanse it. 

Every day we cruised off shore, and at dark 
anchored under the land, until, wearied with the 
monotony, we all longed for a change, and the men 
hinted around that there must be some fresh beef on 
shore, and finally obtained liberty to make -up a forag- 
ing expedition. A picked crew of fifteen men with 
rifles soon landed. Two men were left in charge of 
the boat, ready for an emergency, and the party 
struck up the beach into the woods. 

In less than an hour the reports of muskets were 
heard, and we soon saw our blue jackets on the shore, 
with a number of rebel cavalry dashing about them. 



Seven Years of a Sailor's Life. 209 

Our men were retreating to the boat, some of them 
fighting as they came, others holding on like sharks 
to the carcass of a beeve they had slaughtered. Those 
who dragged the carcass to the boat paid little heed to 
the combat until they had placed the meat in the cut- 
ter, which done, they jumped back to assist their com- 
rades and officers. The rebels, confident of victory, 
tried to " gobble " the boat's crew at one swoop, with- 
out killing them. 

At the first appearance of the party, the Captain's 
gig had been lowered, and, fully armed, we pulled 
with all energy for the beach. The rebs had taken 
some of our men as prisoners, yet none had been 
killed. We dashed the gig to the shore, and emptied 
the rifles into the horsemen. They dropped their 
prisoners and fled up the shore. At the same mo- 
ment the guns of the vessel sent the solid shot over 
our heads and into the woods. The rebs opened fire 
on us as we pulled off to the barque, but our boats 
arrived at the gunboat with all the men safe. 

We all felt pleased with the result of the expedi- 
tion. The party stated that the rebs did not want to 
kill them, but shouted during the melee, that, " an 
exchange of Yanks' for beef was a fair thing ; " and 
their officer's order of " gobble the whole boodle," 
showed that dead men were not wanted. The guns 
were secured, and the beef cut up, and highly en- 
joyed by all hands, but the Captain never allowed 
another foraging expedition. We weighed anchor, 
and that night ran down the coast, taking observa- 
tions as we went along. 



210 Seven Years of a Sailors Life. 



CHAPTER XXI. 

Burning of the " York," of Dublin — Fishing — Stewed Gulls for the 
Officers — Picket Boats — Pitch and Toss — Worrying the Rebs 

— The "Jeff Davis" — Our Contrabands — Single Stick Exercise 

— Plenty to Do — Man-of-War Sports — Singing, Dancing and 
Spinning Yarns — Mcintosh promises a Yarn, but Dies before he 
can Commence — The Men Awed by the Sudden Death — A 
Burial at Sea. 

^^y E kept on our voyage of discovery, and the 
AMK next afternoon the "Albatross" joined us. 
■*£p^ We saw a wreck on the beach, and learned 
that it was the ship " York," of Dublin, an English 
vessel that had been driven ashore during a heavy 
storm. She had parted one anchor, and had two 
hundred fathoms of cable run out on the other, yet 
she laid well out of water on the beach, and the rebs 
were stripping her as fast as they could. Most of 
the rigging was taken from the spars, and all of the 
sails had disappeared. 

We sent a few shot into the woods, and then, with 
the boats of the " Albatross," reached the wreck and 
set fire to her in the cabin ; we then ranged over the 
deck, finding not a single article of value but the 
mate's log-book. We next overturned a can of tur- 
pentine in the forecastle, and firing it, soon had both 
ends of the doomed ship in flames. We left her as 
soon as the fire had gained sufficient headway to in- 



Seven Years of a Sailors Life. 211 

sure her destruction, and went aboard of our own ves- 
sel. The " Albatross," as soon as she had picked up 
her boats, steamed up the coast, and was soon shut 
from our view by the darkness that was fast settling 
over sea and land. We wore ship quite near to the 
burning hull, and discharged two broadsides into the 
flaming wreck, with startling effect. The tall spars 
tottered, and fell over the side ; clouds of red sparks 
were floating in the air, firing the dry underbrush of 
the shore, and the shells, as they exploded, sent the 
burning pieces in all directions. We lay off and on 
until midnight, and then sailed up the coast to the en- 
trance of Beaufort. 

On pleasant days the men were allowed to fish from 
the vessel, and hundreds of small fry, called " croak- 
ers," so called from a certain noise they produced, 
afforded us a great amount of pleasure, both in catch- 
ing and eating. We also caught a fish shaped like a 
toad, with a stout tail, but this repulsive fish was 
never eaten. Sea birds were shot, and stews made 
from them for the officers' table. 

The weather was mild for the season ; boats were 
continually being pulled about among the little fleet 
during the day, and were on picket duty every night. 
On one occasion they passed the fort at midnight, 
and planted buoys in the channel, but the rebs 
pulled them up the next day. Some nights it was 
extremely hazardous to send boats on picket, yet they 
went with muffled oars, and well provided with lan- 
terns, compass, water, and food. The guns of the 
forts were occasionally discharged at random, to 



212 Seven Years of a Sailor's Life. 

frighten the men in the picket boats. I was engaged, 
a greater part of the time, in the agreeable occupa- 
tion of making plans and sketches of the fort, har- 
bor, and prominent points of the land. The vessels 
in the fleet outside numbered five, but these were not 
sufficient to reduce the fort of forty guns ; it was only 
by a co-operation of land and naval forces that its 
destruction could be accomplished. 

Burnside was rapidly sweeping through North 
Carolina, and heading for Beaufort. Intelligence 
reached us, every few days, of his glorious and steady 
advance, yet the star-barred rags floated before our 
eyes from the flag-staff in the town, and the high, slim 
pole, in the casements at Fort Macon, which appeared 
like one large saucer overturned on another still 
larger. Their guns annoyed us every day, but we 
all lay at anchor just outside of the range of their 
most effective piece and watched with satisfaction its 
solid shot skip and bound over the calm water, send- 
ing the salt spray in white showers, and hurting no 
one. 

The pleasure boat " Jeff Davis," with a number of 
contrabands, reached our fleet. The negroes were 
distributed among the vessels. Two of them came 
to the Gemsbok, and were soon doing good service 
in the cook's galley. They were large, fat, indolent 
men, and, at first, were in every one's way ; but they 
soon had new ideas infused into them, and worked 
as they had never worked before; one of them ex- 
claimed when his patience was tried, — 

" By gol-ormity, massa, I tort de old massa wor a 



Seven Years of a Sailor's Life. 213 

hard boss, an I had a-nuff to do, but dis am a big 
boat, an so many bosses, — Oh, wot dis poor nigga 
gwine fer ter do ? " 

All sorts of pranks were played upon them, and as 
they were fond of butting and fighting in their own 
style, they were satisfied to their hearts' desire, by a 
chap from New York, who butted them till they roared 
with pain. 

The boat " Jeff Davis " was a gay looking affair, 
and the best pleasure boat in Beaufort. Every night 
after supper the crew were engaged in fencing with 
single sticks, and found it to be a healthy and pleas- 
ant exercise ; the constant play of eye, hand, and body 
rendering it the best kind of recreation to relieve the 
dull routine of man-of-war life. It was hard and 
quick work to handle the large guns, and perform the 
duties of sail trimmer ; and musket drill was a work 
a sailor always dreads. Our men proved no excep- 
tion to this general rule ; they were heartily wearied 
and sick of it, and when the boson piped the divis- 
ion to exercise at small arms, out of twenty-five men 
that fired at a barrel in the water, only ene hit it ; 
but the figure of a man hung to the yard-arm labeled 
"Uncle Jeff," was bored through by balls from nearly 
every rifle and revolver, and many an officer took de- 
light in firing at it, who never had a chance to pop 
away at a live rebel. 

We tarred and painted ship, scoured copper and 
burnished brass work during fine weather, and made 
" sin-yarn and spun it," on rainy days. Work of 
some kind was daily laid out, and, as there were many 



214 Seven Years of a Sailor's Life. 

hands, it was light and quickly done. Sword mats 
and fancy work were next given to us ; after that the 
" spinning jenny " was in motion every day, and 
worked up all the old rigging and rope yarn. The 
" Rhode Island " passed us, having in tow a splendid 
little schooner, the " Phantom," that she had taken 
as a prize, and was leading by the nose to Hampton 
Roads. 

Every fine night when it was calm, and the crew 
in good humor, we had cotillon and contra dances 
on the berth-deck. Our orchestra consisted of two 
fiddles, one guitar, with banjos in profusion, handled 
with dexterous fingers, and all enjoyed it as long as 
cold weather lasted. Shades of Warnell, Cushing, 
Torpey, and Jack Robinson, where are you, and all 
the careless, dare-devil lads who made the old boat 
ring ? Come, Grimes, chime in, there is a good tune 
in an old fiddle yet. The songs of Yankee, Irishmen, 
Englishmen, and Portuguese are pleasant to hear, if 
sung with true native energy and feeling. Every 
kind of song was sung ; rough jokes played ; feats 
of strength, quickness, and elasticity displayed ; jig 
dancers footed it out by the hour ; cards, dominoes, 
and tee-totums, came in play ; crack-a-loo and gam- 
bling were carried on slily, and the men tried every 
way to kill time. 

The top-gallant forecastle was the favorite place 
to tell tales of love, wreck, and the joys and perils 
of a sailors' life. There the narrator, squatted be- 
tween the dead-eyes of the fore stay, held forth to his 
enraptured audience. One fine evening the place 



Seven Years of a Sailors Life. 215 

was occupied by Mcintosh, a fine looking old sailor, 
and, as he sat whiffing his pipe, the men congregated 
about him, begged for a yarn. " Well, lads, let me 
finish my smoke, and then I '11 spin you a twister 
about my going off." Having said this the smoker 
closed his eyes and settled quietly back in the bend 
of the stay, his face calm and pleasant, and the blue 
cloud of tobacco smoke rising to the black cap rib- 
bon over his left eye. The sprawled out crowd wait- 
ed some few minutes, and, as he made no motion, 
neither opened his eyes nor showed any signs of 
spinning his yarn, one of the men standing by tap- 
ped him on the shoulder with a " Heave ahead my 
hearty," Still no. motion. They took his hand; it 
was a dead man's hand ; the spirit of the sailor had 
fled to a peaceful haven. Mcintosh had spun his 
last yarn, and enjoyed the last pipe of tobacco in this 
life. The group were awed by this sudden touch of 
death ; with solemn faces the men carried the inani- 
mate form aft to the arm-chest, laid it there, and the 
surgeon, with his colleague, pronounced poor Mac 
dead, from disease of the heart. The Stars and 
Stripes were folded over his cold breast, and the crew 
retired to their hammocks earlier than usual. The 
next morning the barque was got under way, and 
when the land had sunk from view, and the lead had 
struck thirty fathoms, the topsail was laid to the 
mast, and an ocean burial scene began. It was a 
solemn sight and sound, sober faces and deep toned 
words marked the hour. We took a last look at our 
shipmate ; the plank was tilted on the rail ; the flag 



216 Seven Years of a Sailor's Life. 

withdrawn, and, as the words, " We now commit 
this body to the deep " were pronounced, the corpse, 
heavily weighted with solid shot, and encased in can- 
vas, passed over the vessel's side, and disappeared in 
the bosom of the water, to be seen no more by mortal 
eyes. 



Seven Years of a Sailors Life. 217 



CHAPTER XXII. 

My Narrow Escape — Rough Weather — Up Anchors and Off — 
Hampton Roads Again — The Burnside Fleet — The Old " Brandy- 
wine " — Motley Array of Shipping — Liberty Men lying around 
Loose — A Gala Day — Great Display of Bunting — A Perilous 
Task — Strategic Feat of the " Nashville " — An Old Sailor Tells 
How it was Done — The " Nashville " Tries it Again — Off She 
Goes — An Excited Captain. 

fMSk 

j Elf HE day after the ocean burial the barque was 
^%Sg|l riding out a gale of wind, lying at anchor. 
Vi? * The boat "Jeff .Davis," was astern, filled 
with water, and I was sent, with others, to bail it 
out. It was a perilous duty, but quickly done, and 
the men returned to the vessel in safety. Being the 
last to ascend the ladder, I missed my hold and fell 
overboard. The counter of the vessel, as her stern 
settled into the sea, struck the top of my head and 
confused me, but as I looked through the green 
water above, I saw a rope at hand. I grasped it, 
holding on with a determination made strong by the 
thought that it was my last chance, and was safely 
drawn on board. The waves ran high, and my escape 
was looked upon as a miracle, as no boat could have 
saved me. The next day, as soon as the gale abated, 
we weighed anchor, and, under top-gallant sails and 
topsails, cut through the long rolling seas, bound 
again for Hampton Roads. 



218 Seven Years of a Sailor's Life. 

Our passage was short ; the wind had become 
tired of blowing a gale, and had settled itself down 
into a good and wholesome breeze. As we swept like 
a racer along the sandy shores of Cape Henry, we saw 
an immense fleet lying at anchor in the Roads. It 
was the armada of Burnside. Every kind of craft 
composed it ; steamers and sailing vessels ; tugs and 
barges ; old ferry boats, and worn-out propellers, all 
loaded with soldiers who were bound to put the rebels 
through, in North Carolina. The bad passage, and 
loss of some of these old boats is still fresh in many 
memories ; also the long storm and pounding those 
transports had to encounter in passing Hatteras, and 
crossing the swash of the Sound. 

We kept on our way through the line of vessels and 
well up the Roads, and at length anchored off the 
steamboat wharf, and near the old Brandywine. We 
were soon obliged to go to that vessel for stores, and 
I had a fine chance to study the build of the veteran 
frigate, whose history is so honorably identified with 
the American Navy. The feet of the gallant and 
patriotic Lafayette, and many other illustrious men, 
who have passed from this earthly stage of action, 
once walked her oaken deck. The old hooks, on 
which the seamen once swung their hammocks, were 
worn smooth and sharp by time and use. The square, 
bulging stern, and full, blunt bows were in keeping 
with her upper works ; and the curious old gilding 
and carving had been smothered in black paint. We 
procured ratling stuff, cordage, and some stores from 
her, and then pulled back to our vessel. I made the 



Seven Years of a Sailors Life. 219 

gig fast to the ladder of the swinging boom, and ran 
nimbly in on the slender spar, to get my supper as 
the boson's pipes were sounding. 

The supper of tea, cheese, pork, and hard bread 
was soon put out of sight, and we tumbled to the up- 
per deck to have a quiet smoke, and look at the many 
vessels that lay at anchor. The whole bay was packed 
with Union forces, flags were flying from every gaff 
and truck ; the bands in the fortress were playing mar- 
tial airs, and the long, white river steamers were blow- 
ing off their steam. When the sunset gun from the 
shore belched out its rude call, down fluttered the 
bunting, and quietness settled over the fleet, only to 
be broken before eight bells, by a hum of voices that 
echoed to the opposite shore. The bells of the frig- 
ates and gunboats clanged out the half hours, and 
finally silence reigned supreme ; but hundreds of 
eyes were on the lookout. 

At break of day the noise of washing the decks 
aroused all sleepers. It was a lovely day, and the 
mild, southerly wind was blowing across the bay 
with a soothing effect. The muddy tide ran by at a 
rapid pace, and the boats were swinging at the booms. 
The port-watch asked the Captain for a day's liberty, 
and, it being given them, forty of the watch were 
soon dressed and in the boats, bound for the shore. 
The men were light-hearted, with the prospect of fun 
ahead, and as soon as the boat struck the beach, 
jumped out and ran to the negroes' shanties, where 
whiskey abounded. We pulled the boats back to our 
vessel, and at dark went ashore with an officer after 



220 Seven Years of a Sailor's Life. 

the liberty men. We found most of them waiting 
for ns on the beach, but a number were scattered in 
and around the buildings, and I was sent to drum up 
the backward. I found them after a long and careful 
search, very busy in clearing out a negro shanty, 
whose rightful occupant would not give them any 
more supper or drink. Soldiers, as they passed by, 
gave little heed to our men, who, after gutting the 
rooms, were satisfied, and staggered slowly down to 
the boats. 

As we were pulling off with the men, our boat be- 
ing deep in the water, a large sturgeon leaped from 
the water and fell into the boat. The fish was heavy, 
and fell on the recumbent men, who jumped up and 
declared that somebody had hit them, and inquired 
who it was. Seeing that a fish was the offender, one 
of them seized it by the tail and waved it over the 
drowsy heads of their companions. 

" Miss Gemsbok, ahoy ; we 're coming." " The 
old man will fix us off for coming aboard this way." 
" Hold up your head, Bill, the old covey is looking 
at yer." " Oh, we won't get any more of liberty. 
Say, Ned, let me fill your place in the gig, you 've got 
enough of going ashore." These and similar remarks 
were made as we approached the vessel. The deep 
laden cutter came alongside, and, as the Captain 
looked down, he saw three men who could not rise 
on their feet, and he thought they might as well 
come up in good style. " Boson's mate," he cried, 
" get up a strap and tackle on the main yard, and 
hoist those men up from the boat." This order 



Seven Years of a Sailor's Life. 221 

was quickly obeyed, and the laughing men on deck 
hoisted their poor shipmates nearly to the yard. In 
the morning they were all called to the deck, and the 
following dialogue ensued ; 

" Well, my men," said the Captain, " you were 
pretty drunk when you came aboard, and did not be- 
have well at all." 

" Yes sir, we were a little over the bay." 

" What fools you were to get drunk ; you will get 
no more liberty while you are on this vessel." 

" Well, sir, we must stay content, and be patient 
until our time comes for discharge." 

" Discharge you want, do you ? Oh, now you 
want to leave me and the good ship. Now, mind me, 
do your duty, and don't think of a discharge ; my 
men are my children, if they do get drunk. Pipe 
down, Boson." 

The men returned to their duty, and the Captain 
to his pipe. He loved the crew at heart, but he 
would swear at them like a pirate, if they did not 
work the smartest of any in the harbor. Shortly 
after this, the starboard watch applied for liberty, but 
were abruptly refused, the Captain giving as a reason 
that his men could not keep from liquor when ashore. 
It was thus that the ill conduct of a few deprived the 
men of the privileges they might have enjoyed, for 
no more liberty was given to us on that cruise. 

As I had a place in the gig, I was ashore nearly 
every day with the Captain, yet saw but little to 
amuse me. Large guns, soldiers, young naval offi- 
cers, and negroes were the most prominent objects 



222 Seven Years of a Sailor's Life. 

that greeted our eyes. There were two tailors and 
one shoemaker in the place, and they coined money 
at their trades, their little shops being full of arti- 
cles to be repaired, for which they charged fabulous 
prices. 

We had a gala day in Hampton Roads. The Pres- 
ident and suite were at the Fortress. Guns thun- 
dered salutes, and flags streamed from every point. 
The afternoon was foggy and damp, and the flags 
gathered the moisture and hung limp and still from 
the halliards. At sunset the fog and clouds rolled 
away, and the sun's broad disc settled below the west- 
ern hills, amid the salvos of artillery and rolling of 
drums. The flags on every vessel were to be on deck 
at the same time. English, French, and Brazilian 
gun-boats were near us, and, many vessels of our 
fleet, the Minnesota included, had the French tri-color 
flying at the fore, out of respect to France, but none 
were given to the breeze in deference to the English. 

Amid the crash of heavy guns, and roll of snare 
drums, the piping of whistles, and motions of officers, 
the large display of flags came sliding to the deck ; 
all but the large tri-color at our fore, that caught up- 
on the topsail brace, and would not come down. Who 
was the man to run out on the slippery yards, slide 
down the brace, and bring that entangled flag to the 
rail. No one stirred to take down the flag. Seeing 
this, the Captain turned to me and silently pointed to 
the flag. Up the rigging I jumped, and, scorning 
foot ropes, ran out on the yard, and slid down the 
wet, slippery rope, conscious that a false step or motion 



Seven Years of a Sailors Life. 223 

would be my instant death. Every eye, far and near, 
saw a lithe form hanging over the angry tide on the 
brace one moment, and the next safe on the rail, with 
the colors. When I stepped on the deck, officers and 
men grasped my hand, and nearly overwhelmed me 
with praise, and with hearty slaps on the back, mani- 
fested their congratulations. The Captain only said, 
" Ned, I thank yon," and resumed pacing the deck. 
I felt a little proud of my daring, and having the 
pleasure of out-doing the fore-top men, who were 
always our rivals in making or furling sail. I knew 
I could do it ; the others dare not try. I had been 
hand-over-hand from flying jib-boom end to the spank- 
er-gaff many a time, and was the only one that could 
clear a topsail reef tackle when the sail was full. 
During my term of service, I had a contempt for 
danger, that amounted nearly to rashness. I often 
crossed the royal yards, when the yard came with a 
bang on the slender mast, and my hands were so numb 
and cold that I could hardly hold on ; but it was to 
be done, if I were dashed to atoms on the pitch-pine 
deck. Everything had to be done in apple-pie order, 
and in perfect time, and if a man was freezing to 
death, he must wait for the word to reach his ears. I 
have seen men clinging to the yards, cry, and swear 
with rage at the cold weather, and the delay of their 
more backward neighbors, whose laziness, or tardiness 
might cause them to freeze before they could make the 
gasket fast and lay down. Sometimes the sails were 
soft and dry, and at other times as stiff and hard as 
sheet iron. The men were well enough, and cheerful 



224 Seven Years of a Sailor's Life. 

in warm weather, but the dead of winter was, as it 
always is, a season of misery for_the sailor. 

Our vessel had been furnished with stores, and 
everything that was needed, and one clear, bright 
morning we went bounding down the coast. As wo 
came off our old station we saw but one steamer 
there, and she was under full steam, running up and 
down the bay. The Captain reported the " Nashville " 
in the harbor, having run by the " State of Georgia'' 
in a masterly manner. Our vessel was anchored a 
mile and a half from the fort, and springs put on 
the cable, ready for action at a moment's call. We 
soon went in the Captain's gig to learn particulars, 
the " State of Georgia " having at last come to an 
anchor in the North channel. I made inquiry of the 
sergeant of marines, and he gave me an account as 
follows : — 

" Well, Ned, it was the cutest game that I have seen 
played in these diggings. D' ye see, we lay here day 
before yesterday, with half steam up, watching the 
old ballyhoos behind the fort, when the lookout sings, 
' Steamer coming from the South, sir.' Well, we 
thought it was the ' Quaker City,' or some of the 
blockaders running up to take the letter-bag home, 
and only had our guns and steam as usual, when on 
comes the reb, straight for us, and speaks us. The crew 
were dressed in blue, and the Yankee flag was flying 
from the spanker-gaff. She hailed us as she dashed 
by, and our old man answered his hail, and inquired 
what steamer it was. A voice full of exultation an- 
swered, 'The Confederate steamer Nashville, damn 



Seven Years of a Sailor's Life. 225 

you,' and down came the Stars and Stripes, and the 
star-barred rag of the rebs took its place. God, how 
our old man jumped to the guns. The rifled cannon 
was soon at work and sent a ball to the stern of the 
flying reb, who then run up under the shelter of the 
fort, just as slick as a whistle. We fired the tompion 
out of the gun, we were so confused, but it was no 
use, there she is and here we are ; I hope we '11 get a 
peg at her ; but she done it so neat and pretty that I 
glory in her spunk." 

Such was his account, and the lucky reb was safe 
behind the guns of Fort Macon. Our duty was to 
watch the port, and we had our hands full. Day 
after day we lay there at anchor, keeping sharp eyes 
on the "Nashville." The "Cambridge" came and 
joined us, and the " State of Georgia " went to Hamp- 
ton Roads. 

The dog-vanes were not stiller than our crew, as 
night shut down. The moon would not rise until 
nine o'clock that night ; it was as calm as death all 
around ; we had springs on the cables, but they did 
us but little good. The " Cambridge " was steaming 
about the channel, making but little noise ; the water 
was as smooth as marble ; the night was so dark that 
an object could not be seen more than a hundred 
yards, and every man was at his gun or post. 

I was leaning against the mizzen rigging, and peer- 
ing off into the darkness, when I saw a vessel near- 
ing our stern : was it the " Cambridge " or the " Nash- 
ville ? " A low, earnest, and hurried whisper ran over 
our ship, and the spring on the cable was tautened, 



226 Seven Years of a Sailor's Life. 

and guns pointed sharp aft. On came the steamer, 
feeling her way down the South channel. Our Cap- 
tain could restrain himself no longer, but shouted, — 

" Fire, fire, and load as fast as you can. Musket- 
eers, pour a volley into that fellow." 

As the flash of our large guns threw a glare of red 
light about us, we saw the " Nashville " right off our 
port-quarter, about a good stone's throw from the 
muzzles of our guns. 

" Keep cool, men ; fire away ; fire anything, only 
cripple her. Five hundred dollars to the man that 
puts a shell into her engines. Fire away ; quick, 
men, she is getting away from us ! " 

How the men jumped and loaded those heavy guns. 
Three pieces were brought to bear on the fast flying 
vessel, and they were soon heated. With a full head 
of steam on, and fire flashing from her sides, with the 
speed of a locomotive, the " Nashville " at length 
passed us and was clear again. We had thrown shot, 
shell, and cannister at her in thirty-five rounds of 
firing, and when it was known that she had eluded 
us, such an excited band of men as flooded our spar 
deck, was never before seen. 

" Blast a boat that don't carry steam." 

" Curse this calm, the lazy moon, and that poking 
1 Cambridge.' " 

" Oh, oh, my God," cried our Captain, tearing the 
cap from his head, and jumping upon it, " men, it 
was not my fault. No, God, no ; I '11 have a steamer. 
Where in the devil is that lazy ' Cambridge ? ' Here 
she comes. What will the department say to this ? " 
and he paced up and down the deck in a rage. 



Seven Years of a Sailors Life. 227 

At this moment the " Cambridge " came rushing 
over the calm, smooth water. The moon had just 
broken through the black robe of night, and imparted 
a wild, sombre aspect to the hurried scene. The 
Captain of the " Cambridge " had not seen the " Nash- 
ville," and when our Captain shouted," She has gone 
down the South channel. Go after her. I '11 report 
you," and many other hasty sentences, she imme- 
diately put on all steam, and went in pursuit, but 
failing to find her in the light fog, returned to her 
anchorage. Our men spent the night in walking the 
gun deck, cursing the " Cambridge," but giving the 
" Nashville " credit for being a swift and bold boat. 

It is well known what numerous jokes were crack- 
ed at our expense by the people of the North, when 
the tidings reached them ; but the Naval Board 
cleared us from all blame, being assured that if we 
had had a steamer that night, instead of a sailing 
vessel, we should have taken the " Nashville," or 
sunk her. Not long after this, our Captain was in 
command of a fast, steam gunboat, and done most 
active and good service on the Carolina coast. Too 
well do the stubborn rebels remember the " Niphon," 
"Flambeau," "Albatross," "Iron Age," and many 
other little steamers whose guns knocked the block- 
ade runners into splinters as they lay ashore. The 
day after the " Nashville's " escape, the " Chippewa," 
one of the new two-masted gunboats, came and joined 
us, but she was just one day too late for the fair, 
which put her captain in bad humor. 



228 Seven Years of a Sailor's Life. 



CHAPTER XXIII. 

Hotel Burning — Our Grasp Tightens — The Rebels Busy — Sailors 
Camping out — Attack on Fort Macon — The Army Steadily Ad- 
vancing — The " Daylight " — A Rather Ticklish Position — 
Dodging the Balls — The Battle and the Storm — Sharp Practice 
— The Contest Close, Hot, and Heavy — Victory — Capture of 
Beaufort— A Jolly Time — A Visit to the Fort — Talk with a 
Secesh Soldier — Luxuries — Manning the Prize Ships — Off for 
Baltimore. 

HErebels were now very busy at work, pulling 
SsSi down and burning the large buildings that 
stood in. the range of their guns. We went 
every night on picket in the boats, and one time we 
landed on the beach and heard the conversation of 
two sentinels, as we wormed ourselves on the ground, 
and hardly taking a long breath. If they had only 
flashed a blue light or fired a rocket, they would have 
discovered us, but we always came off to the ship 
without loss or injury. 

The large and commodious hotel, containing eighty 
rooms, a capital watering place establishment, was 
set on fire by these rebs, and leveled to the ground. 
Every night witnessed a conflagration, and total loss 
of their own property, for the army, under General 
Parks, was fast advancing upon them. Town after 
town was taken, and North Carolina rebels were hur- 
rying to Wilmington. 

One fine day we looked into the town of Beaufort, 



Seven Years of a Sailor's Life. 229 

and saw the flag of the Union flying from a conspicu- 
ous place, but the rebel rag still streamed from Ma- 
con's tall staff, and the ships in the harbor flew the 
English flag. We knew at once that the army had 
taken the town and Morehead city, without firing a 
gun ; but Macon would fight it out, as it was situated 
on a long point of land, and would be obliged to yield 
only by a combined action on land and sea. 

The land forces immediately crossed the inlet, and as 
soon as they could, began to work their long siege guns 
upon the fort. Our soldiers had two heavy batteries 
planted behind the sand hills, and,havingoncegotthe 
range and elevation of their pieces, kept up a con- 
tinual storm of shot and shell upon the doomed fort. 
The rebels answered with their heaviest guns, and 
their shot threw the white, dry sand, in wide spirts, 
high in the air, but seldom harmed the Union troops, 
who steadily shelled the low fort, night and day. The 
"Maggie," a little steamer that followed the army, 
being hard and fast ashore near the guns, the crew 
took their effects and tented out on the beach, and, 
after a time, towed their steamer out of the rebels' 
reach and abandoned her. 

We communicated with the shore, and soon had 
the leading officers of the troops on board of the ves- 
sels. They said the rebels cared little about the town, 
but fought well behind their forts, and the entrench- 
ments they had hurriedly thrown up, and it was there- 
fore determined that the land and naval forces should 
unite in a grand attack on the fort, which, it was 
thought, by being thus between two cross fires must 



230 Seven Years of a Sailor's Life. 

soon surrender.* We landed the party below the bat- 
teries, and had a good opportunity to see the soldiers 
work the siege guns, and dodge the rebel shells. 
The " Cambridge " then left us, and the fleet consisted 
of the " Chippewa," " Daylight," " Gemsbok," and 
" State of Georgia." The "Albatross" joined us 
after the fort had hauled down its colors and sur- 
rendered to General Parks. 

I passed my time on board drawing sketches of the 
vessels and fort, and, as soon as they were finished 
and colored, sold them for half a dollar apiece, and 
in this way earned plenty of change to spend for fresh 
food when we anchored in the harbor of Beaufort. 
Every day the land forces were at it, banging at each 
other ; and at night the rush and roar of mortar 
shell, with their red fire streaming amid the darkness, 
made us impatient to enter into the final combat. 

The army, on the long neck of land, slowly but 
surely advanced nearer the fort, and having attained 
a commanding position, opened a terrible cannonade 
upon the rebels. At the same time the signal for 
action flew from the senior commander's ship, and all 
was activity. The wind was blowing a perfect gale, 
and under double-reefed topsail we ran straight for 
the fort and came to anchor just outside of the bar. 
The Captain was willing to sail right into the harbor, 
and as the senior officers' ship swept around our stern 
he shouted, — 

" Put me in nearer to the rebels ; my crew are full 
of fight, we want to wipe out the stain upon us." 

" No ; you are now near enough to be stove all to 



Seven Years of a Sailor's Life. 231 

pieces, and sunk in five minutes," was the reply, and 
the three steamers began to circle around us, firing 
their starboard batteries directly into the fort, to the 
great discomfiture of the inmates. 

We were so near that we could plainly see the reb- 
els as they jumped up and loaded their guns. The 
wind was at the westward, cold and strong ; we opened 
fire on the fort, and the loaders and spongers stripped 
to the waist, and worked like men. We soon found 
that our guns threw their balls beyond the fort into 
the marsh, and town of Beaufort ; we, therefere, took 
the precaution to obtain an exact range with five- 
second shell, and soon had a terrible fire pouring into 
the fort. 

The " Daylight " had a shot put through her side, 
and after it had let daylight into the ward room, and 
clerk's berth, took the fireman's arm off, and finally 
lodged in the Captain's desk ; this shot was sent home 
by the Captain as a trophy. We riddled the ensign of 
the " State of Georgia " by a premature discharge, 
and could hardly keep our feet on deck, the vessel 
rolled and pitched so heavily. We endeavored with 
the twenty pound rifle to cut away the rebel flag-staff 
with a boot-leg shell, but, after trying many times, 
gave it up, and directed our attention to the sixty- 
four pounder that could plant shell fair in the case- 
mate at every discharge. 

All this time the wind howled like a demon, and 
the red-hot shot and bursting shell were passing over 
our heads and among the rigging. Our laying at an- 
chor, a perfect floating target, proved to be our sal- 



232 Seven Years of a Sailors Life. 

vation. The shot and shell struck not lower than 
eight feet above the rail of our vessel. The masts 
were not touched, but the heavy topmast, backstays, 
main-braces, topsail-halliards, and running rigging 
were shot away. My situation as sail trimmer was 
perilous in the extreme ; I expected every minute to 
have a shell cut me in two, as I laid on the yards pas- 
sing and securing preventer braces, but no harm came 
to myself, nor to any of the crew. One of the foretop 
men placed his hand on the topsail-yard, and a shot 
struck near his hand, chipped the yard in its passage, 
and bounded away to its last rest in the heaving sea. 
He came on deck in the wink of an eye, declaring 
that the devil shouted in his ear, " go down," and he N 
obeyed him. 

Still the rebels fired steadily and fast. Three guns 
in the eastern angle of the fort were doing their best 
to sink us, but our crew, knowing that the rebs could 
not depress the muzzles of their guns any more, sent 
up cheers of victory, and poured their steady fire 
upon the doomed fort. Our masts were rocking and 
shaking with the violence of wind, sea, and the recoil. 
of the heavy guns. The Captain wanted to fight un- 
til night, but the flag officer signalized us to haul off 
and repair our shattered rigging. As the steamers 
made their last circle around us, the men on board 
of them cheered long and loud, to see us there witli 
tattered rigging, and the men all alive and working. 

We were alone again, securing the guns, and weigh- 
ing anchor, while the mighty waves tossed our vessel 
about, like a plaything, on their long, regular swells. 



Seven Years of a Sailor's Life. 233 

The rebs tried to sweep our men from the windlass- 
brakes, but their death-laden missiles passed over our 
heads, shrieking at being deprived of their victims. 
Before we were fully underway, we were nearer the 
fort than before, and as we hoisted the double-reefed 
sail, and swept before the gale, away from danger, 
they fired three and four guns at a time at us, but as 
the vessel's stern was directly fronting them, they had 
a small mark to aim at, and the result of their efforts 
was, that they did not rake us at all, and although 
the hot shot sizzled alongside, and the helmsman ex- 
pected to lose his head, with our colors flying we 
came to anchor where their guns could not reach us. 

The steamers were at anchor, and getting ready 
for the afternoon combat. The long siege guns of 
the Union Army, were hurling death at every shot : 
The rebels had deserted their outer works, and were 
firing the casemate guns very slow and faint, and the 
infantry were marching to storm the fort, when the 
rebel flag, that had waved in our faces for seven months, 
was seen to fall to the ground. The firing ceased ; 
the Union troops soon had possession of the fort, and 
the glorious flag of freedom was flying in the place 
of the rebel rag. Such was the fall of Fort Macon ; 
and at last the grand key of North Carolina was in 
Union hands. 

It was twenty minutes of three o'clock, in the 
afternoon, when the dear old flag was thrown to the 
breeze, and the naval force entered the narrow chan- 
nel. We lay at anchor and repaired the rigging, and 
fixed the upper yards that had been sprung. The 



234 Seven Years of a Sailor's Life. 

grog tub was placed on the quarter-deck, and all 
hands " spliced the main brace." I was tempted to 
toss off a tot of the rations, and if hot lead had been 
poured down my throat, I should have suffered no 
more. It was the first and last whiskey that I ever 
dared to drink, and the lesson it taught me has saved 
my health and character. 

The real main braces were then overhauled and 
spliced to satisfaction, and all the backstays, and low- 
er rigging repaired. The gale abated, and the next 
day we raised the anchor to enter the harbor, but ran 
hard and fast on the sand bar. That was a pretty 
predicament ; the barque drew fourteen feet, three 
inches, and about us was only twelve feet of water, 
at high tide. One thing in our favor was, that the 
moon was near its full, and would rise the tide to 
fourteen feet. If we had gone a little distance fur- 
ther, we could have easily entered, but here we hung 
for three days. The steamers parted every hawser 
that they had to connect themselves to us, and only 
drew us on to the bar. 

" Oh, they can jerk us over ; who cares how many 
hawsers they part," exclaimed one. 

" This is a mix of a fix, — out here, pounding and 
thumping. I wish the < Forbes ' was here," chimed 
in another. 

" I reckon we shan't get in at all ; cuss these 
Southern harbors," was the fretful ejaculation of a 
third. The steamers gave it up ; they could not pull 
nor jerk us over, and did not like the sport of snapping 
hawsers. Sunday morning a strong sea breeze blew 



Seven Years of a Sailor's Life. 235 

fair in shore. The barque lay easy, and the Captain, 
as soon as he came on deck, had the lead sounding, 
and we were glad to hear a report of nearly fourteen 
feet just ahead. 

" Lay up there, Ned, and loose everything, from 
royal down. 1 '11 jump this craft over that bar." 

Every sail was spread to the strong, fresh breeze ; 
the vessel shuddered and started ; spars bent and 
sails split. 

" Put your wheel exactly amidship," shouted the 
Captain, and the barque plunged over the bar, and 
flew like a racer straight for the beach. 

" Port braces there. Jump, men, jump. Look 
lively there." 

The helmsman rolled down the wheel,,andthe swift 
vessel shot into the channel. 

" Stand by to let run and clew up. Let go the 
halliards. Clew up, clew up," he shouted. 

" Stand by your anchor, — let go the anchor ; roll 
up the sails, and put a harbor furl on them, with har- 
bor gaskets." 

The Captain was in his glory, pipe in hand. He 
had slipped his craft over the bar, and only wrenched 
her a little, and broke off the false keel. He was 
a pleased man, and all hands were in good humor, 
at our escape from breaking up on the bar. That 
night the " Chippewa " towed us into the harbor, and 
we lay snug from outside storms and blockading, for 
a while, at least, and supped bountifully on fresh 
trout, sweet potatoes, and other dainties we purchased 
in the town. 



236 Seven Years of a Sailor's Life. 

"We were to lay there until the prize ships were 
ready to sail, and there were many things to be done. 
I asked liberty to go and inspect the shore, and it 
was cheerfully given. Entering the fort I saw hun- 
dreds of pounds of broken shell scattered about. 
Some were broken in quarters and thirds ; others 
into very small pieces. I entered the passage lead- 
ing over the moat that ran around the fort ; but 
which was now dry. Blood was on the wall ; blood 
and clothing on the ground ; blood on the wood work 
and bridge ; it was terrible where a heavy shell had 
sent three into eternity. 

There was a furnace for heating the shot, and I 
took a peep at it. I saw in a moment that the shot, 
at a white heat, could be dropped down a cannon's 
muzzle, and fall on a wad of wet clay, thus giving the 
gunners time to sight and fire the piece, before it 
could ignite the powder. The large, and well-mount- 
ed cannon, from the " Tredegar Works," was filled to 
the muzzle with grape, bullets, and stones, — nice 
little things to carry death among the Union soldiers 
when they rushed to storm the fort. Large guns lay 
about, dismounted by the solid shot from our naval 
forces ; and the rails from the railroad, that in double 
tiers protected the casemate, were cut through, like 
pipe stems, by the shot from the siege guns upon the 
land. As I stood on the top of the casemate, I counted 
forty-one guns, of large and small calibre. The bod- 
ies of the men, who were killed, and those wounded, 
had been taken away, and an estimate of the rebel 
loss was set at fifteen killed, and thirty wounded, but 



Seven Years of a Sailors Life. 237 

the truth will never be known from their account ; 
they lost heavily, but would not acknowledge it. 

Everything was in confusion. The Union soldiers 
were now in full possession of the place. I again 
mounted the walls, and as my eye fell on the immense 
holes in the ground, I realized the terrible execution 
and power of the guns. I was astonished at the great 
amount of shot and shell that had been thrown at 
the fort, and having found a " secesh soger," I entered 
into conversation with him. 

" And where is that sailing vessel," I asked, " that 
lay so near you when we helped to bombard your 
fort ? " 

" Oh, we sunk her." 

" You did ? " 

" Yes, we did. I saw every shot hit her, and ex- 
pected to see her blown out of water." 

" What did you fire at her ? " I asked. 

" Red-hot shot, 'cause we thought she would blow 
up every minute." 

" How do you know you sunk her ? " 

" 'Cause our papers said we did ; and I know she 
could not live after the peppering she got." 

" Oh, you 're sadly mistaken, just as your leaders 
are." 

" No I haint ; look where she clipped these guns 
with her thirty-two's, and upset them large guns with 
her heavy shell ; she 's gone up, sure." 

"No," I replied, "there she lays at anchor, all 
hunky, and not a man killed, and I hope will help 
knock your other forts into cocked hats." 



238 Seven Years of a Sailor's Life. 

" Well, I hope I may be derned if it aint the truth ; 
just as true as I am a corn-fed, and that 's a fact ; 
bless me, who would have thought that cussed little 
ship want sunk. Good day, stranger, I '11 go and find 
some corn grits and bacon ; good day," and away 
hurried the secesh, after his rations. 

I wandered along the shores, and gathered a quan- 
tity of oysters. The bivalves were small, but excel- 
lent, and having eaten my fill, I gathered a lot to 
take to our mess. Just then I saw the cutter com- 
ing over the water, and as it landed the crew, I cried 
out, " Here are the oysters, boys ; come and get a 
feed." The boys ran to the shoal water, and waded 
in, tearing the oysters from their beds, until they had 
gathered bushels of them, and then, knife in hand, 
began to open and eat. 

" Hey, Mackey, aint they gay ? I reckon the rebs 
must have lived well on shell fish." 

" Come, lads, eat and be merry," I said, " for you 
will not get ashore again. Let us take a boat-load 
aboard, the Captain won't say a word against it." 

We filled two barrels with the oysters, and rolled 
them down to the boat. The cutter's crew entered 
the fort, and afterwards came down to the boat with 
old bayonets, cross-belts, and cartridge boxes in their 
hands, and we all returned to our vessel, quite light 
hearted, and rejoiced the hearts of the boys on board 
with a few oysters to open. 

The prize ships were manned by crews from the 
different vessels, and dropped down the harbor, nar- 
rowly escaped striking the wreck of the burned Eng- 



Seven Years of a Sailor's Life. 239 

lish barque. They were all ready for sea, and had 
valuable cargoes of tar, cotton, and turpentine. The 
"Alliance" was the largest ship, and the " Gondar," 
though much smaller, was a good, staunch vessel, and 
had a full cargo. We were to convey them to Fort- 
ress Monroe, and from thence to Baltimore. This 
order was hailed with rousing cheers from our crew ; 
and with a steamer ahead of us, and a hawser to pull 
us over the bar, we left the harbor with the two prize 
ships, and all our colors flying. 




240 Seven Years of a Sailor's Life, 



CHAPTER XXIY. 

Cruising for a Prize — The Night Chase — A Fast Sailor tries our 
Speed — Our Captain at the Guns — Capture of the "Ariel" — 
A Race with a Steamer — We are ordered to Baltimore — In Dock 
for Repairs — The "Alleghany" — Nine Day's Liberty — A Gen- 
eral Scattering — High Life and Low Life — " Going it Blind " — 
A Free Fight on Board the Guardo — Return to the " Gemsbok " 
— Off she Goes. 



HE " Alice " towed us safely down the chan- 
nel, and after a few thumps and bumps, the 
two ships joined us. The ships had every 
sail spread, and moved through the water very slowly. 
The crew had an abundance to eat, drink, and smoke, 
and a plenty of men to work the ship. Our barque 
ranged alongside, and having given to the prize officers 
plain directions as to the course and style of sailing, 
we set our light sails and ran straight out to sea. We 
knew we could come up hand-over-hand with the old 
rotten boats, for they could sail only about one mile 
to our three, and we therefore shot off on a cruise of 
our own. 

Two days passed, and no sign of a sail had been 
seen ; but at midnight the watchful men reported a 
vessel to windward, running to the land. We were on 
good cruising ground, about thirty miles off Wilming- 
ton, and had an idea that it might be a blockade run- 
ner. Powerful glasses made her out to be a full-rig- 
ged brig, with all sail set, and bound straight for the 



Seven Years of a Sailor's Life. 241 

shore. She was seven miles to the windward ; and 
then began one of the most exciting times in sea 
cruising. We were braced sharp on the wind, and 
dashing over the moon-lit sea, the yard braces hard 
against the backstays, and every staysail and jib well 
trimmed down. The brig could see our movements 
very plain, for our white sails gleamed in the moon- 
light ; but she was a dull looking mass, far to wind- 
ward. The breeze began to freshen, and still we 
cracked on our way, keeled over by the wind, and 
throwing the salt spit higher than the fore-yards. 

Daylight came upon the scene, and revealed the 
brig on the other tack, close hauled on the wind. 
We were eager to fire at her, and the Captain had 
the forward gun fired across her bows. No heed 
was paid to it, and we secured the gun ; our shot 
had fallen short of the mark. All that day we hung 
to the leeward, and did not gain two miles upon 
her. Had our guns been able to reach her, she would 
have hove to, but we saw she was a fast sailor, and 
was bound to give us a good trial. The wind soon 
came from the west, harder and stronger. We were 
obliged to take in our light sails, but the brig took 
in not a thread. As night came on, the vessel tacked 
again, headed straight for Bogue Inlet, and all doubts 
of her nationality were at once removed. 

Our Captain was now fully aroused, and shouted, — 
" All hands on deck. Bring along that stern-chaser 
to the forward part of the poop ; we will try him 
with a boot-leg shell." 

The twenty-pound rifle gun, warranted to carry a 



242 Seven Years of a Sailor's Life. 

shot four miles, was soon belching out its tongue of 
flame, and casting iron at the clipper. Shell after 
shell went singing on its mission, but the brig paid 
no heed. Every officer tried the gun without suc- 
cess, and at last the Captain, too nervous to keep 
still, pointed and fired it himself. " Ah, what did I 
tell you, McDermot, we will yet have her, as sure as 
a gun ; don't let anybody handle the gun, after this, 
but myself." 

In came the brig's light sails, and she lay passive 
upon the dark sea. Our next move was to work up 
to her and take possession. Night overshadowed the 
scene, and as the dull light of the moon struggled 
through the rugged clouds, we saw our much covet- 
ed brig, with every sail set, sweeping across our bows, 
and going like a racer, with yards laid square. Our 
officers were astonished at this bold manoeuvre, but in 
two minutes' time, we were flying after the fugitive, 
at the rate of twelve knots an hour. 

" All right," vociferated the excited Captain, " I 'II 
have him now. What does that fellow mean ? At 
any rate he has good spunk. Don** t fire any more at 
him; we'll take the vessel all whole." The long 
night wore away, and at daylight we were close upon 
the runaway ; when, as quick as a flash, round went 
his yards, and close hauled again, he ran for the 
coast. We followed suit, and gained rapidly on the 
brig, but not until the moon was high in the heavens, 
and the sand-hills of Carolina were peeping out before 
us, did the English brig "Ariel," Capt. Pendelton, 
become a lawful prize to our vessel. 



Seven Years of a Sailor's Life. 243 

Our crew gave three cheers ; the Captain wiped 
his brow, and in person took possession of the brig. 
The cutter had a prize crew placed aboard ; once 
more our Captain stood on his own deck, highly 
pleased with the results, and soon had both vessels 
on their proper course. The "Ariel" was new, just 
from Halifax, loaded to the deck with pure white salt, 
and proved to be a valuable prize. 

Our men were satisfied with our last cruise off 
Wilmington, and kept a sharp lookout for our com- 
panions, as they gathered in groups on the deck, and 
discussed the merits of the new prize. We soon des- 
cried the old ships plodding along, with all sail set, 
well to the northward of Hatteras, and joined them. 
The brig went ahead, and reached the Roads in safe- 
ty, but was run ashore after she arrived there, and 
finally towed off by the " R. B. Forbes," a large and 
strong tug boat from Boston, and sent to the port of 
Philadelphia, where the commissioners soon had the 
cargo and vessel sold. We clewed up our light-sails, 
and jogged along with the two ships ; but when the 
steamer " Eastern State " came along under sail and 
steam, we clapped on all our canvas and raced with 
her. We saw many gun-boats going to the south- 
ward, and signalized them. That night the wind blew 
very hard from the south-east, and with only the fore- 
topsail set, and the mainsail single reefed, we flew 
over the rushing seas like a racer. It blew so hard 
that it took one hour for four men to furl the main 
top-gallant sail, at the peril of their lives, although, 
generally, it was but three minutes' work. With 



244 Seven Years of a Sailors Life. 

the yards laid square, we sailed all night before the 
gale, and at noon the next day entered the Roads. 
The steamer came in, ten hours after, and the men 
on board of it were a little astonished upon finding 
our vessel snugly at anchor, as they steamed by. 

The Roads were full of vessels, as usual. We lay 
near the large steamer " Constitution," a splendid 
boat, loaded with soldiers destined for the Butler 
Expedition. The next night the two lumbering ships 
made their entry into the Roads, and anchored near 
us. The officers came to our vessel to report that 
all were well, and the next day sailed for New York. 
We weighed anchor and took a position off the Rip- 
Raps' fort, and soon had carpenters at work examin- 
ing and making necessary repairs. The yards and 
upper spars were sent down to the deck and repaired, 
and in a week's time were in good condition, and in 
their proper places again. This stripping and dress- 
ing made active work for all hands, but the barque 
was soon in ship-shape order. We expected to be 
sent again to our blockade station, but were ordered 
to Baltimore, to have the hull repaired in the dry 
dock. Our men were joyous at this news, and were 
making great calculations upon the glorious times 
they would have when they put their feet on the 
streets of Baltimore. 

All went on smoothly, and in less than four days' 
time, we were lying at the wharf at Baltimore. The 
heavy guns were slung, and placed upon the wharf, 
with their carriages, and a general clearing out of the 
ship took place. After the stores had been landed 



Seven Years of a Sailors Life, 245 

and placed in safe warehouses, the sails and upper 
yards were sent down, the vessel was in order to 
enter the dock. The crew were placed aboard the 
guardo " Alleghany," and we made ourselves at 
home, there being only five hundred men there. 
There were many gunboats in the harbor, and the 
street, leading to Fell's Point, was always full of sail- 
ors. After a two weeks' sojourn aboard the Guardo, 
an 01 der came to give the men of the " Gemsbok " 
nine days' liberty, with money. This was hailed with 
glad shouts by some, and with winking or sly looks 
by others. The men went ashore in the ship's boats, 
and received their money from the purser, who cau- 
tioned every one to look out for himself, and as they 
left the room, they nodded assent. We were all 
ordered to report on board the Guardo at the expira- 
tion of nine days, and away we went, light-hearted, 
and looking for a good boarding-house. Some of the 
men went on to Boston, and never came back ; some 
shipped in merchant ships for Liverpool ; two joined 
the army, and ninety of us remained in Baltimore. 

My chum and myself, with a dozen others, took 
quarters in Green's boarding-house, Thames Street, 
and had excellent living and good, clean beds. We 
enjoyed the luxuries of good water, good food, and a 
quiet house. Secession was rampant, but as there 
were plenty of soldiers and sailors ashore, the bellig- 
erents kept quiet. Our stay in the city was one of 
pleasure and profit to some, and of rude dissipation 
to others. The only fault that could be found with 
our boarding-house, was that liquor was too abun- 



246 Seven Years of a Sailor's Life. 

dant, and, as a matter of course, the men indulged 
rather freely. One night one of the men having, 
with others, emptied a gin flask, went down to the 
bar to get it filled again, but mistook his way, and 
the next moment we heard the most horrid racket in 
the room below. The man was being chased by the 
savage house dog, and running among tables and 
chairs to escape. Having tumbled upon the stairs, 
he rushed up, taking flying leaps, and the door being 
shut, he jumped through the thin wood-work, and fell 
to the floor exhausted, — his blue shirt hardly cover- 
ing his back. 

The dog was sent flying down stairs, and the man 
put into bed. It was that man's last night of drink- 
ing, for he fully believed the devil was after him, and 
became a temperate man. Pictures were taken and 
sent home, and I supplied myself with drawing mate- 
rials to make any little sketches I fancied. At the 
expiration of our furlough, we all returned to the 
Guardo. 

The " Alleghany " was a good guard ship, being 
built of iron, but was " hogged," or, as landsmen 
would say, " had her back broken." There were but 
seven guns on her deck, and those were of but little 
account. After we had been aboard the ship three 
days, a large tug came alongside with a draft of men 
from Philadelphia ; they had plenty of liquor with 
them, and had hardly been on board ten minutes 
when one of the hardest fights took place that I ever 
witnessed. Imagine, if you can, seven hundred men 
striking each other for the fun of the thing ; when one 



Seven Years of a Sailor's Life. 247 

saw a head he hit it, laughing, swearing, and fighting 
at the same time. The most prominent among them, 
was a large six-footer, — a Yankee who came from 
Philadelphia. Every man he hit was sent reeling to 
the deck ; flannel shirts, men's caps, and other arti- 
cles were flying about in all directions. The marines, 
quaking in their boots, with bayonets in hand, at- 
tempted to arrest the fighters. 

" Go away, soldier, or you '11 get hurt," cried the 
sailor, and dipped into his free fight again. 

The Captain gave the order to the marines, and 
with pale faces they charged with the bayonet. What 
was Babel before was Pandemonium then. The sea- 
men dared the marines to touch them, and the Yankee 
giant overturned four of them at once, and a spunky 
attack in the rear of the other sent them on a light- 
ning train to the cabin. The aged Captain of the 
old guar do implored them to desist, and after a few 
more exciting scenes, the men became wearied of 
their " sport " and closed the exercises of the day. 
The leaders of this fight were at last singled out, and 
put in irons twenty-four hours, which slight punish- 
ment they laughed at. I once heard an old gunner 
who had served in the Navy from boyhood exclaim : 
" I wish they would give us back the old flogging 
law. I am ashamed to see men now-a-days gagged, 
bucked, sweated, made spread eagles of, and put in 
irons, until the men are not worth a picayune ; give 
us the cat, and it 's over in five minutes." The greater 
part of the work of our carpenter was to make gags 
and sticks with which to buck men ; the best men 



248 Seven Years of a Sailors Life. 

had the " lilies," " clamps," and "bracelets " on their 
arms, and then walked the deck for punishment. 

Our barque was caulked and newly painted, and 
one fine morning lay waiting for us in the stream. 

" Up bags and hammocks and go to your craft," 
was the order, and soon we walked our new deck 
of white oak. The boarding-house keeper sent us 
cooked meat and strawberries, with a large bottle of 
whiskey concealed beneath fried eggs. Other friends 
supplied cigars, paper, and the necessary articles for 
sewing. Our stores were all in their places ; pow- 
der, guns, and shot on board, and with the white 
sails swelling with the fresh breeze, we left the har- 
bor, amid the rousing cheers of the guardo's men, 
and the crews of the gun-boats. We soon passed Fort 
McHenry, dipping our colors ; then by the heavy 
Fortress in the river, and thence down the bay, to the 
blue ocean. 



Seven Years of a Sailors Life, 249 



CHAPTER XXV. 

A Recruiting Expedition — Arrival at Provincetown — The " Gems- 
bok " an attractive Visitor — Cape Men not Easily Caught — 
Whalers and their Boats — Adventure with a Horse-Mackerel — 
The Dutchman and the Skate-Fish — Pride Humbled — Off for 
Portland — A Gay Time on Board — Battle Lanterns and Flags ; 
Music and Dancing — A Little too Much for the Musicians — 
Return to Provincetown — " Good Bye, Miss Gemsbok " — Once 
more at Home. 

HERE were we bound ? Were we once more 

/?£§§£ *° nave a c^P a * ^ ie P r i zes an( i rebels, or were 
^c^sk w@ to ^ a y m |.] ie B, oa ^ s> ff the Fortress, to 

await orders ? Such inquiries were brought to an end 
when our barque came opposite Cape Charles, for 
then the vessel was hauled on the wind, and headed 
up north-east. It soon became known that we were 
bound on a recruiting expedition; for the term of 
service of many of the crew had nearly expired, and 
" down east we might pick up a few whalers and 
fishermen." This was good news ; officers and men 
felt gay and happy, the officers especially as they were 
to meet their wives in Provincetown. 

We had a very good run, and cast anchor in that 
pleasant harbor one fine Sunday night, and put an 
extra furl in the sails, making them taper away to 
fine points. How pleasant it seemed to us to be at 
anchor off that prosperous little Yankee town. How 



250 Seven Years of a Sailor's Life. 

different Northern industry from Southern indolence 
and recklessness ! How beautiful the sound of church 
bells calling the well-dressed, orderly and numerous 
worshippers to their Sabbath services, and how strange- 
ly in contrast with the booming guns, agonized and 
dying men, and the whole paraphernalia of war which 
we had left behind. The very fishing vessels present- 
ed a more grateful sight to our eyes than the heavy 
frigates, and prowling gunboats. 

Our neat and saucy looking craft attracted much 
attention ; and crowds of both sexes, old and young, 
were always on board. Our officers had their lady 
loves at hand, and made the most of their precious 
time ; but recruits came in slowly. There were plen- 
ty of good men on shore, who were making better 
pay than fourteen dollars a month. The whalers 
dashed around us in their light, well-modelled boats, 
and our Captain's gig had many a friendly race with 
them. This racing induced many to ship with us, 
mostly young whalers. One day a school of horse- 
mackerel came into the harbor, and our cutter, armed 
with a large harpoon, was unlucky enough to fasten 
itself to one. The astonished fish towed the boat 
and crew in every direction ; and then half filled the 
boat with water by a powerful movement of his tail. 
The officer in charge was glad when the iron drew out 
and the fish escaped. The wet and surly boat's crew 
came back to the vessel ; and if any one wanted to 
make a fuss he had only to say to them, " horse-mack- 
erel, my lad." 

As I was one of the crew of the gig, I was ashore 



Seven Years of a Sailor's Life. 251 

most of the time ; but Sunday I could not go, and 
the men dared me to ask the Captain for permission 
to attend church ashore. Well they knew if I did 
not go, they would not ; and, arrayed in my best, I 
stood before the officer who looked as black as a thun- 
der-cloud. 

" I would like to go ashore to church, to-day, sir," 

"Ah, ha ; you do. What do you go to church for ? 
you won't recollect the text, you will look at the girls 
all the time, and think more of them than of the ser- 
mon." 

"Well, sir, I thought you would permit me to go, 
as I shall be under the officer's eye." 

"Will you go to church and tell me the text, when 
you come aboard ? " 

"Yes, sir." 

" Well then, go." 

Rejoicing at my success, I went to church in the 
forenoon, and off among the green hills in the after- 
noon, picking berries and rolling on the green velvet. 
At the proper time I returned, and had the satisfac- 
tion of knowing that the Captain was pleased with 
my conduct. 

Several ladies sent off pans of cake to the messes, 
and the sailors had fine times on the berth deck, 
dancing cotillons with a number of ladies, who came 
off in dories. 

There was a Dutchman in our vessel, who had 
never seen a skate-fish, and one having been taken, 
one night, it was suspended over his hammock. As 
soon as he awoke, he saw the ugly, misshapen thing 



252 Seven Years of a Sailor's Life. 

staring him in the face. With a yell of rage, he 
grasped the queer fish by the tail, and be-labored 
every man who came in his way, shouting, — " Who 
hung the devil over my hammock ? Take that, you 
bean-eater ; what for you scare me so much ? " His 
anger cooled as his devil wore out, and at last, only 
the tough tail remained in his hand. 

Many of the men now began to ask for discharge, 
and Ashton, our coxswain, having procured his, 
dressed himself in citizens' clothes, and tall hat, and 
sailed around the barque, in a boat called the 
" Bloomer." One of the crew cried out to him, 
" Well, you have got a hard cheek to wear a nail keg 
in sight of this vessel's crew." " Oh yes, I pay for 
this," the proud coxswain retorted, when over jibbed 
the bjoat's main boom, and Ashton, and his tall hat 
were knocked into the water. He was rescued by 
the sail-boat's crew, and was set ashore, feeling a 
little chagrined. 

Having received fifteen men, we raised the anchor 
to the bow, and sailed for Portland. In passing out 
of the harbor, we nearly ran ashore, on Wooden d 
Point, but was pulled off by the boats, and that night 
dropped our mud-hook in Portland harbor. We lay 
below the harbor light-house, at the extremity of the 
breakwater, and had quite a pull from there to the 
boat landing. It was pull the boat all the time ; 
carrying visitors and raw recruits. Twenty men 
shipped with us. One of the new comers was a 
young soldier, who shipped as landsman, and as he 
sat in the bow, with his mouth filled with cake and 



Seven Years of a Sailor's Life. 253 

nuts, exclaimed, " Well, it 's awful hubbly here ; 
what is the boat "making the water spirt so for ? " 
The bow-oarsman turned on his seat and answered, 
" Never mind the " hubbies ;" we '11 bring a shovel 
next time, and level them down for you." The poor 
fellow found worse hubbies, before he had served out 
his term in the Navy. I liked Portland very much, 
and rambled up and down the streets, with the rest 
of the boat's crew. We were well found in cash ; 
two of the crew always had long, flat bottles of whis- 
key, concealed in their stocking legs, every time we 
went aboard. 

The recruits were coming in too slow, therefore 
the officers had a grand carousal, in order to make 
the crew enlist again. All that day we went back 
and forth, from ship to shore, racing with every boat 
that came in our way. We had pulled the long, 
light gig so much, with the slender eighteen feet oars, 
that she seemed to fly over the water, and every 
oar fell in time to the water, and rose again like 
clock-work. At night we conveyed twenty musi- 
cians from the fort to the ship, and soon had martial 
music resounding over the calm, dark water. Bat- 
tle lanterns shed their glow upon the lively scene. 
The ladies and officers danced on the smooth deck, 
and the crew had all the raw whiskey they wanted. 
Speeches were made, many toasts given, and all went 
merrily ; but only four of the old crew enlisted, al- 
though the petty officers retained their places. 

At midnight, after we had conveyed the ladies to 
the shore, we returned for the weary musicians, and 



254 Seven Years of a Sailor's Life. 

found most of them happy-drunk, and blowing ear- 
splitting notes, whiskey, and Dutch laughter through 
their instruments. We helped them clown the side- 
ladder, and laid them in the boat, like cord wood. 
One valorous man perched himself on the boat's 
stern, and fell overboard ; he was fished up full of 
salt water, having lost his cap and cornet. This acci- 
dent kept the rest of them still ; they were finally 
landed, and staggered off to their barracks. We re- 
turned to the barque, and hoisted the boat to her 
cranes, then went below to turn in. Sleep was out 
of the question ; the crew were quarreling and fight- 
ing among themselves, in good style, and in less than 
an hour, ten of them were placed in irons, or tied 
together to bite at each other's noses. I laid down 
again, but the shrill pipe of the boson soon called 
all hands to the windlass. Such a set of wild, sleepy 
men is seldom seen, as filled those windlass brakes ; 
the work of five minutes occupied an hour, the crew 
working lazily enough. 

Two brigs bound for the West Indies, passed us 
with fair wind and tide, and among the crew we 
noticed two or three of our men, who had run away 
from the prize ships. As they were loosing the roy- 
als, they screamed out to us, " How are you, old 
junk ; want to ship any landsmen ? " " Good-bye, 
Sally Back," and many other interrogatories and as- 
sertions not very pleasing to ears polite. We mast- 
headed the topsails, and were wafted down the nar- 
row strait that leads into the wide ocean. It was 
quite light, but objects on the water were not plainly 



Seven Years of a Sailors Life. 255 

seen, and the first mishap that occurred, was to run 
fair into the large buoy anchored on the ledge. The 
danger of striking was easily avoided by bracing 
back the main-yards, and keeping a better lookout. 
One of the men had a fishing-line over the side, and 
soon all hands were busy hauling in the haddock 
that swarmed about us. This kind of sport lasted 
about half an hour, and then, with yards laid square, 
and plenty of fresh fish, we shaped our course again 
for Provincetown. 

That night we anchored in the same place that we 
had before occupied, and the same old scenes were 
re-enacted ; the men went to the weirs after fish , and 
the officers to church, and pic-nics. The glorious 
Fourth of July passed without our firing a gun, 
though the vessel was gaily decked with flags, and 
many visitors came aboard. The day passed quietly 
away, and every one that followed was as quiet as we 
could wish. The term of service of many of the men 
was about expiring, and efforts were made to have 
them stay by the ship, but all entreaty proved useless ; 
they were too near their homes to be prevailed upon 
to remain longer from them, and wanted their dis- 
charge as soon as their time was out. 

Many others, hearing of the good pay and fine 
opportunities in the merchant service, resolved upon 
leaving the gun-boat, and availing themselves of 
them. All the offers of " good billets " from the offi- 
cers, had no effect on the men. At length my time 
was out, and with my chum, I went to the quar- 
ter deck, and asked the master-mate to speak to the 



256 Seven Years of a Sailors Life. 

Captain for us. That officer soon appeared, pipe in 
hand, as usual. 

" You want your discharge, too, I suppose ? " 

" Yes sir." 

" Well, you are too fast ; you have one day longer 
to serve, and I must keep you until the last minute. 
You don't go till then, my lads ; I like you too well." 

" Why, sir, we thought to-day was the right day, 
and the packet sails at noon." 

" Never mind that ; a packet goes to-morrow, too, 
I am very sorry my old crew are leaving ; I am soon 
to have a steamer, and want all my men." 

We left his presence ; bided our time, and at noon 
the next day received our discharge. In company 
with several more of our shipmates, we were put on 
board the packet, " Golden Age," just in time. We 
waved a parting farewell to officers, ship, and men, 
as we left the harbor, and after a short, fine run we 
came in sight of Fort Warren, passed the green-clad 
islands in the harbor, ran up to the schooner's berth, 
and once more walked the streets of Boston, hale and 
hearty. 

How busy everything seemed to us. Files of sol- 
diers were embarking ; large ships and steamers were 
loading with troops and munitions of war, flaming 
handbills and posters announced large bounties for the 
Army, and many wives *in tears were following hus- 
bands to the transports. Hurry, bustle, oaths, to- 
bacco smoke and fumes of poor whiskey were on every 
side. Blue coats and tearful women, ragged boys and 
pick-pockets abounded. Hack drivers pulled us about 



Seven Years of a Sailor's Life. 257 

in every direction. Our little " music-bags " around 
our necks were closely guarded, until my chum and 
myself stepped into a coach and were whirled away 
to the railroad station. If our faces had not been set 
like a rock, we should have been led astray ; but with 
cold water for drink and clear heads to guide us, we 
sat in the cars and were soon taken over the rails, to 
our own homes. 



258 Seven Years of a Sailor's Life. 



CHAPTER XXYI. 

Looking for Another Ship — Off for Newbern — Questionable Pat- 
riotism — A Race at Sea — Driven by a Snow Storm — Intense 
Cold — Delaware Bay — On Shore — A Yankee Woman shows 
her Colors — In Philadelphia — Getting Along on Short Allow- 
ance — A old Shipmate Met and Provided for — A Bold Leap — 
Home. 



2 Sir HE winter began to draw on, and I was soon 
%^J looking for another ship. Wages were good 
™* r at coasting, so I joined a four hundred ton 
schooner that was to go to Newbern, N. C, as soon as 
a load of coal should be taken in at Philadelphia, and 
one bitter cold Christmas morning found me at the 
wheel, bound down Boston Harbor. 

Our schooner was flying light, having only forty 
tons of sand for ballast, and we were glad to run into 
Provincetown harbor, and lay by for three days. Ves- 
sels came in with booms broken, and sails rent in 
pieces ; crews frozen, and decks swept of everything 
moveable. It was a cheerless prospect for us, to run 
to the Breakwater in that vessel, so heavily sparred 
and light handed. We filled our water-casks, and 
had plenty to eat and burn, and taking advantage of 
a fair wind, slipped around Cape Cod, and over the 
shoals, coming to anchor in Tarpaulin Cove, with 
the snow flying, before a hard Nor'-wester. Another 
hitch, and we lay in Dutch Island harbor, with fine 



Seven Years of a Sailor's Life. 259 

weather, where we scraped spars in the cold wind, and 
gazed at the camps of colored troops on the land ; 
the men on board indulging in this style of speech 
while they looked at the shining muskets, and lis- 
tened to the stirring sound of drum and fife : 

" There, look at those black fellows, how they swell 
around ; they are to fight the rebels before long ; 
don't I wish I was a soger, instead of freezing in this 
cold wind. Say, old bayonets, come off here, and 
swap places ; thirty-five dollars a month, and froze 
to death." 

The patriotism of this man might be doubted, for 
when I asked the loud-toned salt, why he did not go 
and enlist, and get a large bounty, he replied, — " Do 
you think I'd lug a load on my back like a mule? 
No sir-ee ; I don't care which side licks, for I live in 
Jersey." 

We sailed the next day, and raced with another 
vessel. Our gaff-topsails were blown to tatters, and 
the mate, half crazy with rage, as one of the crew 
and myself was securing the torn and flying canvas, 
in the bitter wind, shouted to us, — " Hurry up, you 
lazy hounds ; I 'm waiting for you." We were both 
doing our best, and not able to endure his insulting 
command, I left all, and leaping to the deck, faced 
him and said, " You will not wait long for me, sir, 
here I am." He then threatened my life, and find- 
ing I had an ugly customer to deal with, I gave him 
to understand that, though willing to do my duty 
like a man, I would not be driven to it like a dog. 
After this I went up and snugly furled the sail, and 



260 Seven Years of a Sailor's Life. 

had no more words nor cruel treatment from him 
during the winter. 

When off Fire Island, the snow began to fill the 
air, and the schooner was running near the land. I 
was the first to cry out " Breakers ahead," and gave 
the warning in season. Five vessels and most of 
their crews perished amid the mad waves that night. 
The wind howled fearfully, as we clawed off from 
the dismal shore, and in a storm of snow and sleet 
tried to reach New York. The wind came from 
north-east around to north-west, butt-end foremost, 
and amid flying rigging, thundering canvas, blind- 
ing snow, and total darkness, we balance-reefed the 
mainsail and hove to. The entire vessel was soon 
sheathed in a thick, white coat of ice. The cold was 
intense ; the wind and snow blinded us, and the 
waves threw their spray as high as the cross-trees. 
Every drop of water turned to ice as soon as it struck 
the schooner. Our stoves were kept red hot, night and 
day. Fifteen minutes was the longest time a man 
dared to stay on deck. The Captain and mate were 
full of liquor, and performed their duties by keeping 
as near the cabin stove as they could ; popping their 
heads out occasionally, from the half-opened compan- 
ion way, and in quaking voices, bidding the men and 
second mate to keep a bright lookout, then popped 
in again, and ensconced by the red hot stove, tried 
to sleep. It was rather galling to us to witness the 
cowardly conduct of those two men, and it 'would 
have done our hearts good to have been able to force 
them to a proper performance of their duties, instead 



Seven Years of a Sailor's Life. 261 

of shirking them and throwing all the care and re- 
sponsibility of the situation on their crew. I had 
coffee, whiskey, and hot drops in my chest, and as 
each man came from his freezing station, I revived 
him with stimulants. 

Three days the gale had howled in its fury, when, 
as I placed my hands in a bucket of water, I knew 
we were in the Gulf, or near the edge of it. The 
wind suddenly fell away, and left us rolling in the 
long, heavy seas. The warm water soon washed the 
clogged ice from the hull, and put our craft in good 
trim. At night a light breeze sprang up ; the fly- 
ing snow was gone, and under three whole sails, we 
worked up the Jersey shore ; the long, black hull 
dipping and pitching in the head seas, and the booms 
splitting and reeling to-and-fro, across the deck. In 
two days after, land was made out, right ahead ; the 
mate swore like a pirate when I told the Captain that 
it was the highlands of Neversink, and when he real- 
ized his position, he paid off the sheets, and away we 
flew to the south and west. How dreary the snow- 
covered land appears as the voyager comes in from 
sea, and how beautiful it is to see the green hills, and 
waving trees as he approaches the coast. Truly there 
is pleasure in going to sea, but the labor and suffer- 
ing outweighs it. We entered Delaware Bay in good 
style ; passing thousands of black ducks on the 
water, so fat that they could hardly fly. As we en- 
tered the mouth of the river, the ice began to impede 
our progress, and when we arrived at Morris river 
the cakes were piled up eight feet high. Among it 



262 Seven Years of a Sailor's Life. 

all, was a large fleet of oyster boats and schooners, 
and the only thing for us to do was to make our ves- 
sel fast, and leave her, for going up to Philadelphia 
by water was out of the question. After a day's 
hard labor, the vessel was secured to anchors, and 
fastened by chains to posts driven in the mud. 

The stage was ready to go to Millville, and after a 
hearty breakfast, I was ready to start on the journey. 
The little old coach could only accommodate ten per- 
sons, inside and out, but before we reached the town 
of Millville, there were twenty-two, and I was content 
to stand on the pole of the team, the last part of the 
way. We arrived at our destination at two o'clock 
in the afternoon, without any mishap, and as I felt 
a bit sharkish, with the long ride in the cold air, I 
entered a place where a sign of " Refreshments," 
was posted, and jars of candy, piles of beer-bottles, 
and bunches of cigars were prominently displayed. 

" Can you give me a dinner ? " I asked, " I '11 pay 
you well." 

" We don't keep a sailors' boarding-house, here," 
answered the landlady. 

" Well," said I, half aloud, " if I was in Massa- 
chusetts I could soon get a bite." 

" Where did you come from ? " she asked in a 
milder tone. 

I told her. 

" And did you ever go to the city of Newbury- 
port ? " 

" Yes, I have, and like it well." 

One remark brought another, and she at last ex- 



Seven Years of a Sailors Life, 263 

claimed, with a woman's earnestness, " Well, here I 
am, down in this far-away place, and it does me good 
to see any one from near home ; walk up stairs, and 
sit down, I '11 have dinner in a few moments." 

I had touched the right string in her harp of hu- 
manity, and soon sat down to the well-spread table 
with the family. 

Before the meal was finished, we became well ac- 
quainted, and it turned out that I had really seen her 
sister's family when I was in Newburyport. They 
would not take pay for their trouble, but as I left 
they gave me a fine bunch of cigars, to smoke, they 
said, on my way to Camden. I went to the depot, 
and soon the iron horse was tearing over the rail and 
through the low lands of New Jersey. My stay in 
Philadelphia was short ; the river was full of ice, 
and the ice-boat had all she could do to keep the fer- 
ries clear for the boats to run. The night train 
found me a passenger for New York, and I went 
into the car where a number of sailors were con- 
gregated, and took a seat where I could hear the con- 
versation they carried on, about wages, ships, and 
jumping bounties, but I soon settled myself comfort- 
ably for a quiet snooze. It was very dark outside, 
and the lamps in the long car threw their rays on a 
rough set of men. I slept a few minutes, and was 
awakened by an old woman with apples, crying to a 
large, burly Dutchman, " Please give me back my 
apples ; do now, I can't afford to lose them." She 
was an American woman, and that half-drunken 
bully was teasing and trying to cheat her out of a 



264 Seven Years of a Sailor's Life, 

few cents' worth. What if I had a mother who had 
to peddle apples ; supposing that woman was my 
mother, and perhaps she had a sailor boy of her 
own. Determined to see her rights maintained, I 
rose from my seat, and proceeding to the half-tipsy 
fellow, took hold of him, demanded that he should 
pay her well for every apple he had taken. The 
Dutchman seemed confounded at my manner, and 
stammered out something for an apology, saying 
that he meant no harm, but my earnestness seemed 
to compel him to do as I bid him, and he handed out 
the money. Soon after, he was approached by an 
Irishman, who gave him to understand that if he did 
not go into another car, there would be a fight, and 
the fellow thinking discretion the better part of valor 
just at that time, tumbled off, in a rather humiliated 
manner. The poor old apple woman left us at Bur- 
lington, with more money than usual in her purse. 

I arrived in New York early in the morning, and 
having relations there, concluded to spend a week in 
their society. I easily found them, and enjoyed my- 
self well for two weeks' time. The skating on Cen- 
tral Park interested me the most ; but going around, 
purchasing clothing, and seeing the city, little inci- 
dental expenses soon drained my purse to a small 
amount, and home I must go, or send on for funds. 
My friends wanted me to remain in the city and go 
into business with them, but city trading I cared little 
about, so I stepped on the steamer for Fall River. 
There I fell in with an old shipmate, who had no 
money, and not a crumb to eat ; I shared my money 



Seven Years of a Sailor's Life, 265 

with him, and then took my chance of dead-heading 
my way on the steamer. This was the only time I 
ever was what is called " hard up," and I was bound 
to make the best of it and go through if possible. My 
baggage went on to Boston ; I had the checks, and 
was easy on that head, but how to leave the boat 
when every one of the Irish deck hands was watching 
me, was a problem I had yet to solve. Ten or fifteen 
dead-heads were taken and sent to unload the cargo 
when the steamer touched her wharf. My two Irish 
guards were walking around me and saying, " We 
will take him back to New York." And I said to 
myself, " if -I can't give these fellows the slip I ought 
to go back." Watching my chance, I made a daring 
leap, and landed on the wharf. They dared not fol- 
low me in that fashion, and I stepped into the cabin 
of the Providence steamer, and the next moment she 
cast off her shore fasts, and I was speeding up Narra- 
gansett Bay. 

I reached Providence in good time, strolled about 
the city, and then took my seat in the night train for 
the good old capital of the Bay State. The lightning 
seemed to be hitched to the train, for we went through 
the darkness like a comet, and though I am fond of 
rapidity in all things, I must confess that I shook 
some at our style of travelling that night. At a late 
hour the cars entered the Boston depot. No coach 
was ready for me this time, and on foot I threaded 
the dark streets until I found a seat, in the last horse 
car for Lynn. I was going home where I was always 
welcome, with plenty of garments and only a few cents 



266 Seven Years of a Sailor's Life. 

in my pocket. This was my second unlucky trip, but 
I felt tip-top in spirit, and determined to rest a while 
and then plunge into my roving life again. 

Over the bleak waste the horses toiled, and at length 
the places and scenes around began to look familiar. 
I jumped off, and plodded down the street until I 
reached the house, and not wishing to awaken any one, 
I raised the back window and entered. Noiselessly I 
lit a lamp and looked at the clock ; it was just one. 
I soon made myself at home so far as to forage round 
and find something good and wholesome with which 
to make my early meal ; then, in the warm sitting- 
room, spread myself on the floor and was soon in the 
land of dreams, where I remained until the daylight 
peeped in at the windows, and astonished the family 
with my unexpected presence. 




Seven Years of a Sailor's Life. 267 



CHAPTER XXVII. 

Merry Times at Home — I am Bound to Go-a-Fishing — The 
" We 're Here " — Cape Cod Again — A Narrow Escape — Using 
Up the Salt — Waking the Skipper — Fisherman's Life — The 
"Texas" — In a Fog — Is that a Privateer? — Home Life on 
the Cape — The Cod Fisheries — How They are Conducted — 
The Profits — Superiority of American Fishing Craft — The 
" Marietta " — Quick Work. 

WO or three weeks passed swiftly by, with 
dances and surprise parties every night, and 

^ p^* folks said, " Ned goes it while he is young. 
We don't blame him ; he enjoys everything that is go- 
ing, and has a large crowd of friends. " And " go 
it " I did, to every place where my fancy called me ; a 
"hail fellow well met," and in duty bound to enjoy 
life to its fullest scope. 

The merchant, man-of-war, and coasting service I 
had tried, and now I was to dip into fishing. The 
snow was running down the hills in a thousand rivu- 
lets, melted by the warm April sun, when I doffed 
the citizen's garments, and put on the fisherman's 
suit, big boots and all. The tenth of April found me 
on the deck of the " We're Here," bending sail and 
taking in sea stores and the little extras that make 
up a fishing outfit. 

We sailed from Beverly with a fair wind and pleas- 
ant weather, and that night came to anchor off Har- 
wich, Cape Cod. Most of the crew belonged there, 



268 Seven Years of a Sailor's Life. 

and they soon had two dories manned, and pulled for 
the shore. As I stood by watching operations, the 
old skipper shouted, " Take good care of the vessel ; 
we '11 be off in less than a week, Ned ! " 

" Well, here we are," said a friend at my elbow, 
" and likely to hang out tough. I expect they will 
do up all their farming before they sail." 

He "expected" just right. We laid back and 
took solid comfort, and it was gay old times to us, 
keeping bachelor's -ship off Deep Hole. On the night 
of the third day after the vessel anchored, it began to 
blow heavy, and at midnight came a gale, dead on 
shore. We went stumbling forward in the darkness, 
and made the jib-sheets fast, cleared the port-anchor 
and cable, hoisted the jib, which slatted and shook 
like the crack of doom, and when the vessel was well 
cut away to port, let the second anchor go, and made 
all snug, the equal strain on both anchors holding the 
vessel firm in spite of wind and wave. At daylight 
the anxious skipper and crew were hurriedly pacing 
the wave-lashed strand, there we ]ay all secure, and 
had not drifted a fathom. Seeing which they 'felt 
satisfied, and. left us alone in our glory. 

We were getting tired of laying at anchor off the 
bar, while they were having social times ashore, and 
throwing the last dory overboard we soon landed on 
the beach, and made our way over cranberry meadows 
and dyked land, to the only hotel the little town 
could boast of. We took supper and were astonished 
at the rations set before us, which consisted of two 
cups of tea, two slices of bread and some butter. 



Seven Years of a Sailor's Life, 269 

" Dollar and fifteen cents is the bill," said the host- 
ess. 

" Well, you are as kind as a mother," ,said I, 
" I 'm far more hungry than when I began." 

" Willing to oblige you to anything in my line," 
snapped out the lady, " but we are all out of stores 
just now." 

We walked up the street, and turning a corner 
came plump on the skipper, who, with his head in 
advance of his body, was making the sand fly as he 
stumbled over the cart-ruts and beaten tracks. 

" Hullo, my lad, where did ye spring from ?" 

" Oh, we 're boarding at the hotel." 

" Ye haint though. I want ye to come an' live in 
the house I stop at, if ye must be ashore half of the 
time, 'sides, I got sum land to scratch over, an' per- 
haps you'd like to take holt." 

That was just what we wanted. He took us home, 
made us members of the family, and with willing 
hands and merry hearts his spring planting was done 
in two days. We then went aboard the schooner. 
The water was taken in, the anchor cleared, and the 
vessel under weigh in quick time. The harbor tide- 
rips and land were left behind, and as the skies in 
the West were mottled in crimson and gold, away we 
went out upon the blue sea. Nothing of importance 
occurred during our run on, until we arrived on the 
Western Banks. There we tried for fish, and sailed 
day by day, but finding them scarce, off we started 
to the eastward. On one occasion when my watch 
was below, I was suddenly aroused from a deep, re- 



270 Seven Years of a Sailor's Life, 

freshing sleep, by shouts, and confusion on deck. A 
turn and a jump was taken, and looking to wind- 
ward of our vessel, I saw a large steamship rushing 
upon us, lights gleamed, men screamed, and a crash 
seemod inevitable. Our wheel was hove up ; the 
huge mountain of wood and iron was nearly on us, 
but the next moment we had slipped out of her way. 
How the air rushed past our ears, as the huge fabric 
swept by, not slackening her speed in the least. 

It was the first of May when we came to anchor on 
Bank Quereau, and found fish plenty, but small. 
" Half a loaf is better than no bread/' and at work we 
went. I was green then, but before long I earned 
the title of "high line," and though I had many diffi- 
culties to overcome, I caught nearly five thousand 
codfish that trip. When I had doubled that number, 
the seasons that followed, I was almost determined 
to be " a banker " for life, bat subsequently changed 
my mind. 

After a while the cook came to the conclusion that 
the salt was not wet fast enough, and as the thought 
of a rebel privateer came upon him, he hurried it 
over the side every time the skipper was at supper. 
He remarked to us, as the salt was emptied out of 
the passing tubs, "You see I gets so much by the 
trip, and the sooner I get home, the better for all on 
us." 

There were two brothers on board, smart, and jolly 
fishermen, who enjoyed a quiet snooze in the warm 
forecastle, when they should have been pacing the 
deck, with eyes wide open. The skipper had often 



Seven Years of a Sailor's Life. 271 

noticed that the light at the gaff had died out, or 
that a chimney was broken, and at length he caught 
the midnight watchers, snug and asleep, with a large, 
empty dish on the table in front of them. Buckets of 
water had no other effect than to put more salt over 
the rail, and less fish on board. The great desire of 
our men, was to see the last of the salt disappear, 
and sheet the sails taut for home again. 

Our skipper was a hard man to rouse from his 
sleep, and often when I called him, he would " lay 
and soak " in pleasant dreams. One night, after I 
had called three times without awakening him, I 
shouted loudly in Ins ear, — "Skipper, Skipper — I 
say, Skipper, heave out." 

Half frightened out of his wits, he nervously re- 
plied — " Yes, yes, yes ; 0, Lord, I'm coming, com- 
ing. Speak, what's the matter ? " 

He must have thought we were going to Davy 
Jones' locker, but I soon calmed his fears by saying, 
"Why, your watch, of course; this is the fourth 
time I 've called you." 

" Bless me, I never was so startled in my life ; don't 
do it again." 

" No, don't yell like that in this cabin," said a 
man behind me, " for I have the heart disease." 

" Never mind my friend," I added, " you are 
alive, and likely to be," and as his feet struck the 
wet deck, I kicked the heavy clog boots from my 
own, and was soon snugly stowed away under the 
quilts. The skipper always turned out after that, at 
the first touch or call. 



272 Seven Years of a Sailors Life. 

Fishing in fleets, on deck, in dories, or laying still 
until good weather came to us again, formed the regu- 
lar routine of our duty. We dressed down and wash- 
ed up, ate, slept, and watched, day and night, until 
the last ton of salt had been wet, and then with merry 
hearts we joined the old " Texas ;" set our main sail, 
and both vessels, with colors flying, left the fishing 
ground and fleet of dories behind. 

The mild, easterly breeze wafted us to the west- 
ward, and that night the sun set clear, it being but 
the fourth time it had done so during the ten weeks 
of our trip. Nearly every day the weather had been 
foggy ; the heavy mist occasionally lifting for about 
an hour at a time. The consequence of this was, 
that every bunk and chest was wet, and the standing 
rigging was colored a sickly green. Fog and cold 
are disagreeable companions, especially when one is 
obliged to associate with them for twelve or fourteen 
weeks, at anchor on the high table lands of the Grand 
Banks. We jogged along towards our destined port, 
and when off Halifax, N. S., saw a low, black steamer 
steering straight towards us. The skipper was nervous 
and fidgety. " Oh, that 's one of them privateers. 
I '11 lose my summer's work." Then addressing me, 
he continued, — " We 're all right, I reckon ; they'll 
hang you to the yard arm, Ned, 'cause you have went 
against them, but will let us go, sure." 

The sharesmen were all looking at the steamer 
that lay just ahead, as though she would board us, 
but after lying still a few moments, she put on steam 
and soon left us alone. 



Seven Years of a Sailor's Life. 273 

" Hurrah," shouted the overjoyed skipper, " She 
wouldn't touch a little fisherman, nor any poor folks 
like us," and he cut a nourish on the quarter, with 
his stiff old legs. 

We all felt relieved when she had disappeared, and 
two days after, we dropped our anchor once more, 
off Deep Hole. The gay flag flew from the little top- 
mast ; the crew had a good wash in fresh water ; 
dories were pushed over the side, and the men, with 
happy hearts, dressed in their best, pulled quickly 
ashore. Those who remained, myself among the 
number, laid on the house sunning themselves, and 
drinking in the beauty of the shore, with its neat 
and pretty houses, waving pines, and familiar objects 
that caught their eyes, then hauled the ropes taut, 
cleared the decks, and were snug and comfortable. 
The next day we went ashore, and met the men in 
checked shirts and black pants, their countenances 
wreathed in smiles, their happy, young wives cling- 
ing lovingly on their arms, and seeming well pleased, 
as they looked up with eyes full of love and adora- 
tion, into the faces of their returned husbands, who 
puffed their cigars in a gentlemanly style. Nothing 
was too good for us young bachelors, and we had 
cordial welcomes every where we went. Each day 
some new and entertaining feature of Cape life pre- 
sented itself, and the true sociality, genuine kindness, 
and unmistakable warmth of friendship, which char- 
acterizes the inhabitants of that locality, so favor- 
ably impressed us, that when the time for leaving 
drew nigh, we regretted its approach; but go we 



274 Seven Years of a Sailors Life. 

must. We bade our friends good bye, and on the 
20th of August we hove the anchor to the hawse-pipe, 
and left Deep Hole, bound for Beverly, where we arrived 
safe the next morning, and made the vessel fast to her 
wharf. I was not long in reaching my home, and the 
next day went back to receive my pay, which proved 
quite satisfactory. But better to me than the money 
I had earned, was. the health I had regained. I was 
once more hale and hearty, and ready to go again as 
soon as I could find a good chance. 

Cod fishing is a great business for Massachusetts' 
Bay. Hundreds of vessels are employed, and thous- 
ands of men pass their summers on the foggy banks, 
among icebergs, danger and schools of fish. Each 
vessel's company usually consists of a skipper who 
is entitled to one whole share of the profits of the trip, 
which counts up to about a thousand dollars ; two 
sharesmen who hold half a share each, being from 
four to six hundred dollars, and a number of men and 
boys, who are hired, and receive from fifty to two hun- 
dred dollars a piece, according to their smartness in 
catching fish. Thus, the first year I received eighty 
dollars clear of expenses. The next trip, one hun- 
dred and thirty, and the next, two hundred and 
seventy dollars, and each season my wages advanced, 
because I was putting more money into the owner's 
pocket every year I went, and " high line men," as 
they are called, have fine chances to obtain good 
wages. If a Captain has a man who is smart, that 
man's good name will travel from Nova Scotia to 
New London. His name will be his recommenda- 
tion to the skippers. 



Seven Years of a Sailors Life. 275 

Fishing is a science now-a-days ; the old style of 
carrying it on is rapidly fading away, before dories 
and double trawls, squib-gigs, capling, fly and top 
water lines, driving and penning, prepared bait, 
patent hooks and gear, and enterprising men con- 
stantly on the alert for new methods of operation. 
The lumbering old boats with dirty decks and poor 
rigging, bad food and crowded cabins, are being 
transformed into sand barges and freighters ; and 
the sharp, new, roomy clippers take their places, well 
found in everything, and carrying a new dory for each 
man. Time, men and fish are saved, the profits are 
larger, and money is earned easier. What a con- 
trast is the present clipper banker, shooting over the 
wild ocean, fast and safe, making the run on and off 
the Banks in a week, to the old bluff-bowed bully-hoo, 
that was often thirty days going or coming, or to the 
clumsy French ships and brigs, that are trawling on 
the Bank. Verity, the American fishermen, like the 
American Navy, can beat the world. Look at our 
whaling fleet, it astonishes every one, — chasing the 
leviathan of the deep amid polar ice, and torrid heat, 
and traversing the ocean from pole to pole. Steamers, 
whaling guns, and every ingenious contrivance that 
man can devise, is in the hands of the sons of New 
Engldmd. 

But, weary of the land, I looked up another craft, 
and soon found the Marietta, a staunch vessel, 
bound for the Grand Banks of Newfoundland. I was 
told that the skipper was tyrannical to his men, but 
determined upon knowing the truth in regard to him, 



276 Seven Years of a Sailor's Life. 

and taking no man's say-so as evidence, I walked up 
to the tall, bony individual who was hurriedly pac- 
ing the newly painted deck. 

" Good day, skipper," I said. 

" Who in the devil are you ? " he rather bluntly 
inquired, as he came to a full stop in his walk. 

" I want a chance to ship, and hearing that you are 
bound off soon, I have come to see if you will not 
give me one." 

" Yes," he replied, " you hear lies enough about 
me on shore, and men talk very hard sometimes." 

" Yes," said I, " but the devil is never quite so 
black as he is represented to be." 

He seemed to take this as a compliment, for he 
seated himself calmly on the rail, remarking, " Now 
I like that in you ; and I '11 give you one hundred 
and seventy dollars, clear, if you '11 go. Somehow I 
rather take to you ; I thought at first you was a city 
swell come down to see my vessel. If you will go, 
come down and sign the articles." 

This occurred at quarter past eleven in the fore- 
noon. In an hour's time I had shipped, signed 
articles, taken leave of home and returned to the 
schooner, and at one o'clock had finished my dinner, 
cast the fast from the wharf, and was gliding down the 
harbor on my way to the ocean. Such quick work 
was not often done, and I soon saw that I was all 
right with " bully Tom," as the men were pleased to 
call the skipper. 

I started to put my luggage away in the forecastle, 
but was warned by one of the crew that a " crazy 



Seven Years of a Sailor's Life. 277 

drunken man was there, and nobody dared go 
down." 

" Somebody must be the first to go," I answered, 
" and here goes." I pushed back the slides and de- 
scended the steep steps. Yells, curses, and hard lan- 
guage saluted me. A man, half naked, crazy drunk, 
and frightful to look at, stood before me. 

" What are ye here for ? Go away, you devil ; 
aint you afraid of me?" 

" Not much," I answered, " get up in this bunk, 
and lie down." 

He would not ; so I tried to put him in, and after a 
hard scuffle succeeded in doing so. In a drunken 
rage he raised himself, and struck his head on the 
hard beam, when, stunned by the blow, he pitched 
over the bunk-board and tumbled on to the table. He 
was all right then. I secured his knife, covered his 
face with a wet cloth, and when he awoke he was 
sober. 



278 Seven Years of a Sailor's Life. 



CHAPTER XXVIII. 

There He Winds Her — Our New Cook and His Reception — The 
Girls of Castine — A " Post " that Spoke— Off for the Banks — 
Good Fishing — Something of an Iceberg — A Yankee School- 
master Shoots a Whale — The Dory Fleets — Eight Hundred 
Boats at Work — Lively Times on the Banks — After a Shark — 
Loss of the "Widow W adman " — Perils of the Fishermen — 
Pulling for Life in a Dory — Saved at the Last Moment — Loaded 
with Fish and Homeward Bound. 




passed the beacon, and glided down the 

f&SL narrow channel, jibbed the main boom, and 

^£w flew on to the broad bay. " There he winds 

her," was shouted by the group on shore, and echoed 

back by the men sitting on the windlass. 

Three or four of our crew were a little the worse 
for liquor, and when darkness began to hide the shore, 
there was a general cry of " who will get supper." 
Nobody wanted to do the cooking, yet all were ready 
to eat. We had no cook. That important personage 
was to be shipped, when the vessel arrived down East. 
I knew I could cook ; so did many others, and natur- 
ally the duty fell to me. I went to the fo'castle, and 
there sat the late crazy man, filling his pipe. " Hul- 
lo, old feller," he cried, " going to give me some sup- 
per ? Haint had anything for two days ; feel as if I 
could eat the head from a ten-inch bolt. Say, let me 
help you." I declined his aid, and told him to go to 



Seven Years of a Sailor's Life. 279 

his berth, and in proper time he should have his 
share. 

" Well, have it so if you want to. I b'lieve all the 
other men are 'fraid of me, but you are not. So 
here goes till supper time," and he tumbled into the 
first bunk that came handy. 

I set about cooking supper by the aid of a flaming 
lamp, and in an hour's time had the table covered 
with substantial food. The first table was filled by 
the Captain and five other men, including the terror 
of the fo'castle, who ate ravenously, and myself; then 
I set a second table for the others. They prolonged 
their meal until nine o'clock at night, and I was glad 
to turn into my new berth as soon as I had cleared 
the wreck and washed the dishes. As I took a pull 
at the pipe, I said to one of the men, — " Brown, you 
get the men's breakfast in the morning, and I '11 get 
the dinner." " I shan't cook ; did n't ship for cook, 
and hate to handle pots and pans, let somebody else," 
he moodily answered. 

" All right," said I, " mind you get breakfast in 
the morning," and turning my face from the light, I 
was soon in the land of dreams. 

At four in the morning I took the wheel. Cape 
Elizabeth light, bore North, about six miles from us. 
The vessel was rushing straight for Penobscot Bay, 
sheets eased off and sails all hard filled with the strong 
Sou'-westerly wind. I looked under the booms, and 
saw the smoke pouring from the cook's stove. Ah, 
yes, Brown had slightly changed his mind, and at 
seven o'clock a good hot breakfast awaited us. Be- 



280 Seven Years of a Sailor's Life. 

fore noon we were running up the beautiful bay, past 
Owl's Head, to Castine. The tide being against us, 
we anchored, to remain until its turn. The skipper 
and four others took a dory and went to the town, 
the former saying, as he left, " I expect to see this 
schooner at anchor off the town in the morning, Ned." 

Midnight came with squalls, and a dash of rain. 
" Turn out here, fellows," I shouted, " fair wind and 
tide ; tumble up if you want to be in town to-morrow. 
Strap the third-reef cringle to the boom, and loose 
the jib. Pump her up. Charley, you to the wheel, 
and I '11 take the lead." 

The men did not fancy the rain and pitchy dark- 
ness, but soon the craft was gliding up the river. 
The casts of the lead were satisfactory, and we anchor- 
ed her off the town within ten rods of the steamboat 
wharf, and then retired to the cabin to smoke and yarn 
away the time till daylight appeared. The skipper 
sent a carcass of veal aboard, and our new cook made 
his appearance, with a large jug of whiskey in one 
hand, and small stores and an accordeon in the other. 
Then began drinking and fighting. The man before 
alluded to as rum crazy when I first saw him, when 
sober was a good fellow, but the taste of liquor set 
him in a blaze. He grappled with a large Scotchman, 
and the two had it out under the table. The cook, 
who was full of whiskey, tried to part them, when the 
crazy man dropped his first antagonist and tackled 
on to him. The poor cook remonstrated, — " I won't 
have any fighting in my own dominions," but the 
crazy man threw him in a heap behind the stove, and 



Seven Years of a Sailor's Life. 281 

no more did the cook assert his rights. The Scotch- 
man, full of revenge, again pitched into the crazy 
man, when springing from the bunk in which I had 
lain and seen this rough play, I cried : " Hold up ; 
you have fought enough ; " and then parted the two 
without a blow. 

It may appear singular that an end of the struggle 
was so easily effected, but from some cause, I have 
always possessed a strange power on such occasions 
and have been able to separate men and animals. 
My experience has taught me that though physical 
force may be at times essential, the power of the eye 
and the tone of the voice are much superior. 

It was well that the wages I received enabled me to 
dress neatly for shore life, for rough sea clothes are 
rather unshapely on land. The others of the crew 
congratulated themselves on like privileges, and, to- 
gether we roamed about town. Castine is pleasantly 
situated on the left bank of the Penobscot River, 
and a place of some note. We went to church in 
the afternoon of Sabbath days, and prayer meeting 
in the evening, to see others and be seen ourselves. 
We could sing every hymn that the preacher read, 
and looked hard at the fair daughters of Maine, when 
they peeped at us through their fingers during divine 
worship. One night I went to church alone, and 
when the services were over and I had almost reached 
the door, a splendid little sunny head was at my side. 
I crooked my right fin, and the little clipper hooked 
on immediately. I looked over my shoulder and 
another lass had me by my left arm ; two more had 



282 Seven Years of a Sailor's Life. 

hold of my coat tails. It was a preconcerted plan, 
but I bore up as nobly as I could, and escorted them 
to their homes. The last young lady that walked 
with me arrived at her little gate. It was a dark, 
starless night, and the only object I could discover, 
was what appeared to be a black post in front of the 
door. 

" Hush," said my companion, " there is my mother, 
she '11 hear you." 

" I don't see anything but a long, black post," I 
answered, and then the post spoke. 

" If you don't come in directly, Miss, you '11 not 
go to another evening meetin'." 

"Oh, I must go ; good night, sir ; " and away ran 
the obedient girl into the house. 

The three weeks passed at Castine are numbered 
among the most pleasant of my life. At length a fair 
wind came, we ran up the sails, slipped our fasts, and 
away we went with flying colors. We reached the 
Grand Banks in nine days, and immediately struck on 
large fish. The dories were soon afloat, every man 
did his best, and that night, twenty-five hundred cod- 
fish were ready to be dressed down. " Come on, throat- 
ers and headers, fly round, or we shan't get through 
to-night," was the word about deck. 

Fish came tumbling in, boat loads every day. Only 
the best men fished, and the ambition of each was to 
bring aboard the largest number. We lay directly on 
the track of vessels bound over the Banks, and in spite 
of horns, bell, and conch shell, came very near being 
run down. The " Great Eastern " passed so close to 




r£ 'tlj 



e3 T! 
ft £ 



Seven Years of a Sailors Life. 283 

us that we saw her masts and hull ; her steam whistles 
were blowing like those of a dozen locomotives. She 
was moving slowly, feeling her way carefully through 
the thick fog. 

The next day we weighed anchor and left that 
place ; it was too risky a position to remain in longer, 
for the Liverpool packets might walk right over us. 
"We went bounding and dipping on our way, when 
one of the men cried out, " What's that, Ned ? " 
and pointed up in the air. I looked and shouted, 
" Heave up your wheel, we 're right upon an ice- 
berg ! " 

The mist that hung over us like a funeral pall, 
rolled away for a moment, and disclosed one of the 
terrors of northern seas ; a huge mountain of ice 
aground, being two hundred feet under water and 
over four hundred out, looming high in the hazy 
air, a fair sample of an iceberg. The air was very 
cold on the lee side of the ice, and if a vessel struck 
it, there could be no hope of escape in the thick, heavy 
weather we were then experiencing. The sad tale 
that hundreds of men would tell could they walk the 
earth again, would be, " Our vessel struck an iceberg 
in the fog one night, and foundered. Of the passen- 
gers and crew, some were lost at the moment, others 
reached the berg, froze to death and rolled off, until at 
length, every one perished." 

Still we " fished and made berths ; " sometimes 
striking adrift and losing anchors, and at other times 
lying on the calm water. One day the sun broke out 
in all his glory. The " Rock's Fleet " was in sight, 



284 Seven Yews of a Sailor's Life. 

and near us was a dead whale floating on the water. 
This whale was killed by the chance shot of a Yankee 
school master, who fired a rifle, having no idea that 
it would touch a vital spot. A wandering whaler 
found the dead carcass a few days after, and it yielded 
thirty barrels of oil. The pedagogue went to the 
Grand Banks a sick, slender man ; he returned in the 
same vessel,' strong and well, and in good firm flesh. 
There is no place like the Banks for making known 
to a person his fate ; death soon comes, or it will keep 
away for years. I went on one trip, weighing ninety 
pounds, and returned home in less than four months, 
weighing one hundred and forty-five pounds, and 
have seldom seen a sick day when on salt water. 

There was nothing to greet the eye, but fog, fish, 
ice, and vessels on the Banks ; and, of course, there 
was no pleasure, to while the time away. The fleet 
on the Main Ledge consisted of seventy sail. They 
fished from dories, and when the men were busy at 
work these dories lay in two large fleets. ■ Imagine 
four hundred boats side by side, and just to leeward 
of them, four hundred more, each containing a man. 
A continual humming sound hovered over these 
fleets, produced by human voices, and the slatting of 
the fish from the hooks. Every man was busy and in 
earnest. 

The sport of catching fish is when they bite smart. 
One day we could catch as fast as we could haul, 
using clam bait. The boats were in line, rubbing, 
chafing and jamming against each other. Occasion- 
ally the sound of the muddle was heard as it tapped 



Seven Years of a Sailor's Life. 285 

a struggling fish on the head. The water beneath 
the dories was packed with codfish, millions upon 
millions, for that was their feeding ground. Fish are 
migratory in their habits, the same school that was 
there that day, might be a hundred miles away the 
next, and not one be taken on that spot for a week, 
yet the vessels would remain there and get their fares. 
The fish at length discontinued biting, and no bait 
held out sufficient inducement for them to walk over 
the sides of our boats. This being so, the men of 
every nationality that could endure cold weather, lay 
back and smoked their pipes, or amused themselves 
when an opportunity offered in " baiting up " a shark, 
many carrying bayonets and old harpoons with which 
* to make an attack. 

" Say, Ned, what's this long, big fish that is swim- 
ming around my boat ! " 

" Why, that's a shark, my dear ; bait him up while 
I make fast this long knife to the handle of my oar." 

" Bait him up, Brown ; heave more fish near my 
boat." 

On glided the shark, and when near me, I plunged 
the knife into him with all my strength. He only 
wriggled his tail and swallowed a fish. I made three 
or four more strikes at him, and finally concluded that 
my efforts in that direction were of but little use, as 
a larger weapon than the one I had would be required 
to capture his sharkship. Their tenacity of life is 
wonderful. In illustration of this, I will mention a 
circumstance. 

One Sunday, as we lay near the " Starr King," her 



286 Seven Years of a Sailors Life. 

skipper jumped into a dory to harpoon a porpoise. 
He had. drawn it into his boat and had just taken the 
harpoon from the dead fish, when he looked up from 
his labors and saw a huge shark rushing for his boat. 
It sprung at the man, with mouth wide open, and we 
all thought that the skipper was to be dragged from 
his boat. But with great presence of mind he thrust 
the long harpoon fairly and steadily down the gaping 
throat of the savage fish, even to the handle of the 
iron. The shark beat a retreat for a season, but soon 
began to wind the line around his body and pull the 
boat and all it contained under water. The skipper 
had no knife or he would have cut clear from his 
enemy, who was winding the line up with great 
rapidity. He shouted for help, and boats flew to the 
rescue. The first one that arrived upon the scene 
of action had a sharp blubber spade for a weapon, 
and cut and stabbed the shark until the line of the 
boat was clear from the wounded monster, who swam 
away with more than forty deep gashes, and the 
harpoon still in his throat. The skipper thus saved 
took a solemn oath he would not do any more work, 
or sport on Sunday. Many times I have had sharks 
follow me for miles on the smooth water when I had 
a deep load of fish, and expected every moment to 
be snapped from my boat and lugged down to the 
bottom of the ocean. I am no exception to the rule 
that " every sailor hates a shark." 

Boats were off to the fleet again, but the fish took 
hold slowly. Up came the fog, cold and damp, hid- 
ing everything about us. Still we fished away, for 



Seven Years of a Sailor's Life. 287 

every one counted. There were vessels all about us, 
but we could not see them ; once in awhile the fog 
scaled a bit, and the bright sun-dogs shone through 
the vapor. 

" Hark ! what's that rushing noise we hear ? Look! 
there is a barque under full sail, coming right into 
the fleet. Look lively there, lads. My God ! it's too 
late." With a crash that was heard through the dense 
fog, the large vessel struck the schooner " Widow 
Wadman," and she was a wreck. 

The barque with all sail set kept on her course, 
and was fortunate enough to steer clear of the boats 
and vessels, and went off like a ghost, into the realms 
of fog, But the sinking schooner demanded our at- 
tention. A large number of boats were at hand, each 
endeavoring to save such articles as could be moved. 
The spars were cut away and the wreck was then 
towed away from the fishing ground and burned. 

Such are the perils of the fishermen. Men's lives 
are in jeopardy during the whole time they remain 
on the banks. With icebergs, fogs, collisions and 
gales they stand a poor chance. I was lost in the fog 
two days, all alone, and lay at anchor until it lifted, 
then I saw the fleet about two miles from me. Many 
are lost each year. A man who belonged to the 
" Rose," lay on the water four days in his boat. He 
could not find the fleet, but a passing vessel heard 
his horn and picked him up, carried him to the 
States, where with good grit he shipped in a banker 
that was bound on, and soon after, joined his vessel 
again. The missing man astonished his old ship- 



288 Seven Years of a Sailor's Life. 

mates when he appeared in their midst, having been 
gone four weeks. 

Fearful winds spring up suddenly and take many 
dories away from their haven of safety. I was 
caught far to leeward of the " Marietta," and had 
to pull for my life. No other vessel lay near me, 
and I had to keep to windward, deep loaded with fish, 
which made the dory pull easier ; had I been light, I 
should have capsized. I gained on her, after pulling 
for two hours with the energy of despair. At length 
my strength was gone ; I could only keep her head to 
the white, tumbling seas. Hundreds of eyes were 
upon me ; dories bottom up, and others half full of 
fish and water went by like flashes, over the sea. Oars, 
reels, seats and buckets were on the water. The 
nearest land was Newfoundland, eighty miles to the 
leeward. Oh, how I pulled at those nine foot oars. My 
thole-pins were almost worn out, and I had made up 
my mind to scud before the wind, when I heard heavy 
guns to windward. I looked over my shoulder in 
agony, for I dared not to lose my feeble stroke. An 
empty dory with strong line attached, belonging to the 
"Marietta," and one end of the line held on board, 
was coming down to me, borne over the mighty waves, 
like a feather. Salt tears ran down my feverish cheeks 
as I grasped the becket at the stern, and in quick 
time made my own boat fast. Sitting in the stern of 
the empty boat I motioned to the crew to haul me up, 
and* placed my spare oars in readiness to scud, if the 
line parted. How handsomely the two rode the seas, 
as every moment I drew nearer my vessel, and finally 



Seven Years of a Sailor's Life, 289 

got safely aboard, with both boats. Our deck was 
filled with dories, and strangers, men who had sought 
refuge from a watery grave ; and I felt thankful that 
I had been saved through their quick perception of 
my danger. 

» Virgin Rock " is formed of a vast ledge that 
cannot be seen unless on some clear day, when, on 
looking down into the calm water, it is visible in two 
and one half fathoms of water. The Banks are table 
lands, at the bottom of the ocean ; on the sides and 
tops of which, millions of codfish feed. 

With our hold packed full of salted fish, and all 
the salt used up, we set our colors and prepared 
to leave for home. Twelve hundred quintals of good 
fish were under the well-battened hatches. The men 
in the fleet cheered as they saw our colors go danc- 
ing to the mast head, and letters to be taken home 
came in fast. It began to blow a gale as soon as 
we had raised the anchor, but under Bank sail we ran 
before it. The vessel was rolling badly when the 
stove, full of hot coals, was overturned, and thought- 
lessly the helmsman left the wheel. The schooner 
lurched to, laying in the trough of the sea, whose 
tumbling waves poured on our deck. Men washed 
overboard by one wave, were washed, inboard by the 
next. Everybody was saved ; but what a danger to 
run ! I took the wheel and we scud until the fore- 
sail blew away, and then run her under try-sail and 

jib. 

Three days we scud her, and at length the storm- 
tossed vessel lay off Halifax in a flat calm, and we 



290 Seven Years of a Sailor's Life. 

rested with sails down three days longer, when a main- 
sail and a new foresail were bent, and the wind came 
heavy again. 

" As long as she cracks she holds," said the skipper, 
as he rubbed his hands ; " they called me i Bully Tom,' 
didn't they, Ned ? Now I have been fair ; you know 
that, don't you ? " 

" Ah, you have got a good crew," I answered; " it 
is the crew that makes the skipper." 

We held the wind and arrived safely at home in two 
days. All accounts were settled to our satisfaction, 
and I bade the " Marietta " good-bye. 




Seven Years of a Sailors Life, 291 



CHAPTER XXIX. 

The " Comet " and my Prospects. — The St. Croix River — A High 
Tide — Lumber Trade — Pleasant Hours — Eastport — A Christ- 
mas Pudding — Necessity, the Mother of Invention, called to our 
Aid — A Large Fleet — A Winter Storm — Fast before the Gale 
we Reach Holmes' Hole — Off for New Haven — Our Cargo 
Discharged — Boston and Home. 



MADE up my mind to join the United States 
service again ; and one cool November morn- 
ing, the train was whirling me over the iron 
rails to the eastward, and I was enjoying the beauty 
of the country through which we passed. All nature 
had put on her garments of many colors ; the trees 
seemed like waves of fire as the cars rushed through 
the oak groves and by the dense forests. Farmers 
were busy finishing their fall work ; stacks of salt hay 
were on the marshes ; vessels and boats were hauled 
up and housed for the winter, and everybody seemed 
busy at something. 

The rattling, driving cars soon conveyed me to 
Portsmouth. There I met large numbers of seamen, 
nearly all of whom were being besieged by substitute 
runners ; but Jack Tar was wide awake, and very few 
fell into the hands of those war sharks. After an 
experience with one of those brokers, and roaming 
about the city for a fortnight, keeping my eyes open 
for a good chance, I happened upon the wharf one 



292 Seven Years of a Sailor's Life. 

day, and came across a large schooner which suddenly 
struck my fancy. 

" Who is the master of this vessel ?" I asked. 

" Captain Hodgdon," said a clumsy youth of seven- 
teen. 

" What is the vessel's name ? " 

"The Comet, sir." 

I was all right ; having formerly sailed with him, 
and this was his vessel ready to start. Soon after, 
the Captain came rolling down the wharf. 

" Ah, ah, Ned, here you are ; you must go with me 
now, sure." 

" What will you give me to go ? " I asked. 

" Well, I '11 give you forty-five dollars a month, and 
a mate's berth." 

" I 'm there, sir," said I ; " trot out the articles." 

" I was after you a week ago, Ned ; but the folks 
said you had gone to Portland ; I 'm glad you've met 
me, or I 've met you, which is it ? — at any rate we '11 
haul out to-night, and to-morrow get the crew, set up 
the rigging, and make her look well ; go ahead on 
your own hook." 

I strolled up the street for a time, and at midnight 
went on board, and the vessel dropped down the 
stream with the tide. How lovely the full moon shone, 
on the calm, clear water. The anchor carried the ' 
chain to the bottom and we lay below the " Colora- 
do," at the Kittery yard. Three days' work on the 
" Comet," was done and she looked much better. 
She had formerly been a fast packet brig, but steam- 
ers had run her out of the business. The cabin was 



Seven Years of a Sailors Life. 293 

large and roomy, with old fashioned transoms and 
cupboards. The top of my berth was marked and 
cut by passengers who had had tea and liquor in the 
bunk, and becoming sea-sick, had marked up the 
smooth wood to while the hours away. The smell of 
raw onions prevailed around my resting place. Bush- 
els of the rank vegetable were below me, and I was 
well assured of keeping in a most healthy state by 
their use. Four times the wind blew us back to the 
harbor after we had sailed, but at the fifth attempt 
we lay snug to the wind and shaved the ledge below 
Boon Island, and then with better sea-room dashed 
away on our course. 

In three days' time we entered St. Croix River, and 
sailed between high wooded shores, that rose abruptly 
on either hand. We were not long in reaching Calais, 
and soon had our vessel at the wharf, awaiting its 
freight. The St. Croix is a deep and narrow stream, 
having its rise far back in the large lakes, pouring 
its waters through many saw mills, and winding its 
way along many a crooked mile to Passamaquoddy 
Bay. The wharves on the river are thirty-six feet in 
height, and the tide rises generally as high as the 
capsill, before it shows a disposition to ebb. I have 
seen the water cover the highest wharves, and vessels 
riding nearly upon the heavy lumber, that did not 
float on the shoal water. Such is a genuine Bay of 
Fundy tide, — the highest natural tides in the world, 
with one exception. 

I was booked up on Calais, having before this trip 
walked its plank sidewalks and splashed through its 



294 Seven Years of a Sailor's Life, 

mud. This is the town where the valorous English 
Colonel dashed over the bridge with his raiders, and 
" gobbled"' 1 the funds of the bank, before the citizens 
collected to drive them back. The river separates 
Yankee from English ground, and at all times of the 
year the two classes of people mingle freely. Im- 
mense quantities of liquor and contraband goods are 
easily transferred from shore to shore, thus eluding 
heavy duties. Many ships are built on both shores, 
but British gold and cheap board secure the best of 
Yankee workmen. Calais is a great lumber market, 
and there are hundreds of vessels loading at its port 
during the summer months. Large rafts of lum- 
ber are floated down the stream, and railroad cars 
bring the prepared lumber direct to the decks of the 
vessels. The mills on the river run their gangs of 
saws night and day, and the buzz and hum of ma- 
chinery can be heard for miles on a calm night, as 
the power of water drives the sharp saws though the 
different kinds of wood. We were " taken up," that 
is, had an offer of freight, and hauled in to the desig- 
nated wharf, and with some smart longshore men 
with their "pickalels," began to stow the lumber. 

My old cronies soon found me out, and as soon as 
the day's work was done and supper bolted, there was 
plenty of real, sensible fun ahead. A sailor who is 
civil, neat, and conversant on any common topics 
can find plenty of good people to associate with in 
every port to which he may go. Every night I was 
in company that would improve, and not debase me. 
"VVe sung, talked, played and walked. There was 



Seven Years of a Sailor's Life. 295 

a due sense of propriety, goodness and respect in 
the ladies and the families with whom we associated, 
and such companionship always keeps a man in his 
proper place. 

One night we went towards the covered bridge, and 
on turning the corner saw a crowd of men indulging 
in a rough and tumble fight. The girls drew back 
with pale faces, but we walked near the scene of ac- 
tion. A dark figure jumped from a door way ; a 
musket was levelled, and the flash of the gun eclipsed 
for a moment the moonlight. An American lay wel- 
tering in his blood, and cries of rage went up from 
the combatants. Knives, clubs, and fists came into 
play. The " Home Guard," rushed to the spot and 
laid the clubbed musket and muscular arm upon the 
backs of the rioters. Yells of pain and fear, cries of 
terror and shouts of victory, damaged heads and cut 
bodies were plenty, but the soldiers secured their 
prisoners. 

" Come, boys," cried the mate of the " Baltic," as 
he grasped our arms, " let us leave this place ; it's too 
hot for me, altogether ; we '11 be nabbed in a minute." 

We took his advice and hurried away. The ladies 
stood together with hands nervously clasped, and 
tearful eyes greeted us. 

We quietly returned home, and I related several 
incidents connected with my own experience as a 
sailor, which had the tendency to somewhat dampen 
the ardor of a lad who had had a great desire to go to 
sea. He began to understand that a " life on the 
ocean wave," is not altogether one of ease or pleasure, 



296 Seven Years of a Sailors Life. 

and that it loses many of its attractions upon a near 
approach. 

A sailor's last night in port is memorable, and too 
often noisy and turbulent, but ours passed off quiet 
and happy. We were to sail in the morning ; and we 
parted from each other with reluctance. At sunrise 
the four vessels hauled out into the stream and spread 
their white wings to the breeze. Our barque soon 
left the others behind, and we came to anchor at Red 
Beach. We had one hundred thousand five hun- 
dred feet of two inch plank stowed in our hold and 
on deck, well put in, laying snug as a floor. Red 
Beach had a plaster mill in constant operation, and 
that was all the sign of business visible. We took a 
stroll upon St. Croix Island, and had a view of one of 
the most beautiful sunsets I ever witnessed ; then, 
once more aboard, we soon reached Eastport and 
found the smoking ruins of many pleasant homes 
destroyed by a most disastrous -fire. Our Captain was 
a thorough seaman. He was the first with whom I 
had sailed, and I always found him ready to impart 
to a young man in his employ, information that 
would benefit him. 

Christmas day came to us with a heavy snow storm 
while we were outside of the land, and ploughing our 
way with reefed sails. Our dinner was herring and 
potatoes, gingerbread, sauce, coffee, and, to cap all, a 
long apple-duff served with long-tailed sugar. It was 
boiled in one leg of a pair of new linen pants ; for the 
duff boiler had a large hole in it, and " necessity is 
the mother of invention." We came to anchor in 



Seven Years of a Sailor's Life. 297 

Portland harbor, remained there three or four days, 
and though a fearful storm seemed brooding over us, 
we sailed on Sabbath morning in company with one 
hundred and sixty vessels of various kinds, from large 
brigs and barques to little " pinkies." These separ- 
ated and went in all directions, nearly a hundred 
of them being bound over the shoals, and heading 
for Cape Cod. 

With the fury of the winter's blast, the long pent- 
up gale came rushing upon us. Every vessel reduced 
sail and ran under the land. " Can you put her into 
Holmes' Hole, Ned ? If you can, let it be done," said 
the skipper. Close and snugly reefed sails, guyed 
out like huge wings, sent the vessel reeling before 
the howling gale. The night shut down; we were 
alone in the whirl of the storm. The man at the 
wheel was trembling for his safety, yet doing his best 
to guide the craft through the running seas. He soon 
cried out, " Please take the wheel, sir, I 'm freezing 
and can't steer." I had been on deck constantly, 
and felt just like action. " I '11 take the wheel," said 
I, " and put her safe in the Hole before daylight, 
keep a good lookout forward, for we '11 go right over 
anything we may strike." 

Through the dark and stormy night the vessel flew. 
Polling waves, and blinding snow were all about us, 
but the little compass was on its truthful duty. Ed- 
gartown and East Chop Light were seen glimmering 
through the murky night. The vessel went past light 
boats and vessels at anchor, and soon we were off the 
harbor. The snow ceased to fall ; the wind roared 



298 Seven Years of a Sailors Life. 

like a fury, as with quick motion I whirled the wheel, 
and like a shooting star, we cleared main and jib- 
booms of different vessels and came safely to anchor. 
We lay there a few days, then ran to New Haven, 
and discharged cargo in lighters. A trip off our rocky 
coasts during the winter months is decidedly unpleas- 
ant, and as the " Comet " was to return loaded with 
railroad iron, I resolved not to go in her. I received 
my pay, clothed myself in citizen's clothes, and meet- 
ing a drunkard's child in the street, ragged and with 
bleeding feet, I employed my surplus funds to supply 
her with warm garments and foot gear. I went 
aboard the vessel, bade my shipmates good bye, filled 
my clothes bag with monstrous oranges for the old 
folks at home, then stepped on board a train and was 
soon landed in Boston. 




Seven Years of a Sailor's Life. 299 



CHAPTER XXX. 

A Sea-sick Company on Board of the " George Shattuck " — Laugh- 
able Scenes — The Sailor's Boarding House — " Splitting up a 
Dictionary" — Off for the Banks", on the "Nason" — An Ocean 
Race of a Thousand Miles — Icebergs — Their Noonday Beauty 
— Saved by a Sharp Lookout — John's Thrilling Experience with 
a Phantom Brig and a Spirit Sailor — Where Good Fishing is to 
be Found — Overboard Again — Eleven Hundred Quintals Down. 

v 

HE winter of sixty-five and six wore quickly 
away. I fully realized the truth of the say- 
ing, " being paid off and coming home is the 
best part of going to sea." If I had given scope to 
rude ideas .of pleasure, as some men do, it would 
have been the means of my death long ago. I seemed 
like a bunch of muscle and bone ; and as for nerves 
to be shocked, I had none. I was alive to every feel- 
ing that would promote my happiness, and add to my 
knowledge, I had seen enough of crime and dying 
pleasure to make me hate the term of " he is a brick," 
or, " she is a staving girl." Through the best of 
broadcloth and the finest of silk I saw the wearers in 
their true light, and resolved to be a better man, 
and establish a worthy and honorable character for 
myself. 

I must go to the Banks one more trip, for I knew 
I could command high wages, and also wished to 
make my health still better. I had a little of the coast 
of Africa in me yet, and four months on the Grand 



300 Seven Years of a Sailor's Life. 

Banks, would make me as strong and wiry as I ever 
wished to be. 

On a bright April morning I arrived in Boston and 
stepped on board of the steamer bound to Province- 
town. We left the harbor, and soon after the steamer 
cleared the land, encountered a stiff breeze and a sea 
that ran from the south-east. The passengers wanted 
to put back, it was so very rough, but on we went, 
passed Minot's ledge and plunged into the long, green 
and white billows, that tumbled over in good style. 
Every woman was in her berth, holding on with a 
tight grasp, and the men clung to the fastened chairs, 
with speechless tongues and pale faces, till they were 
summoned to pay tribute to father Neptune. No one 
seemed inclined to step outside of the cabin and house 
doors, and no dinner could be cooked, as the steward 
was constantly busy in picking up his pans and crock- 
ery that were playing pitch and toss in the galley and 
lockers. In the cabin the ladies occasionally smiled 
in a sort of ghastly manner, and exclamations from 
all sides reached my ears. 

" Oh, oh, I know we 're sinking, what would my pa 
say if he saw me now ? " 

"Oh, May, how do you feel ? " asks a pale, lovely 
girl as she hugged the pillow. 

"Oh, dear, I feel as if, — Oh, help me;" and a 
slender hand clutched the tin. 

" Would n't you like some fat dinner, sir ? " said I 
to a huge bulk of an individual, who grasped his 
chair with a nervous grip. " Oh, sir, don't mention 
it, — it's coming," and he leaped from the seat and 



Seven Years of a Sailor's Life. 301 

tumbled to the half open door, where he settled his 
dinner bill to his satisfaction, and gazed out on the 
troubled sea. 

I laughed until I was sore, to see the antics cut up 
in that cabin, and did all in my power to help those 
who needed my assistance. 

" Young man," said a pompous personage, who laid 
upon his back in an upper bunk, " young man, please 
hand me a piller ; I 've bin tew sea thirty-four years, 
but this little blow just knocks me. Ah, thank yer ; 
now let it rip, I 'm in good quarters." 

The steamer went on her way, plunging, dipping, 
and creaking. A use of the sails steadied the hull, 
and we continued over the rolling seas much easier 
than before. The sea-sick people crawled from their 
bunks and made their toilets, and all were anxious to 
be ashore. 

The " George Shattuck " came to her wharf, amid 
a pelting cold rain, and seeing the luggage all right, 
I ran up the longest wharf that I have ever seen in 
all my travels. I went into a fisherman's boarding- 
house, but was not very pleasantly impressed with the 
style or manners of its occupants. A party of rough 
men were busily employed in teasing a still rougher 
looking boy, who, dirty and saucy, was not in very 
good humor. A deafening ringing of a bell informed 
me that I might expect to find supper on the table, 
and so, stumbling down a dark and narrow stairway, 
my expectations were realized. I found a long table 
at which a large number of men were seated, bolting 
down their food and drink with a fearful rapidity. 



302 Seven Years of a Sailor's Life. 

That done, they filled their pipes and puffed away, 
soon filling the apartment with clouds of smoke. 

" My dear sir," said a seedy looking individual ad- 
dressing me, "are you going to the fishing grounds 
this summer? Do you think it will improve me to 
undertake the mighty task of drawing the inhabitants 
of the vasty deep from their watery domain ? Will 
my degenerating and consumptive appetite be im- 
proved, and shall I once again recover the exuber- 
ance of my spirits ? " 

" Yes," said I, " muchly more than most, most 
muchly. You can retain your tenacity, on an en- 
larged and particularly gutta-percha-ized slice of 
bovine suchly as you are muchly munching now." 

" Say, Tom," screamed a coarse, sunburnt man 
seated opposite me, to his chum at the end of the 
table, " come down here, if you want to hear these 
fellers split up a dictionary ; " and then to us, " go 
on, my boys, I meant no offence." 

I was full of fun, but kept it down with all the force 
I could command. 

" My dear friend," began the seedy man again, 
"my sense and my perception of morality are not 
contiguous with the elementary combination, display- 
ed in the caput of that unhallowed heaven-defying in- 
dividual. His presumption, audacity, and contami- 
nating presence completely shocks me ; I shall retire 
from this abode of sin and corruption." 

At this the two rough men threw themselves back 
in their chairs, and laughed vigorous horse-laughs 
until they were silenced by the master of the house. 



Seven Years of a Sailors Life. 303 

This was the last I saw of my seedy friend, but, judg- 
ing from the way the food and drink disappeared, he 
might as well go to farming, as fishing, for he could 
eat his weight wherever he went. 

I paid my bill, and as the rain had ceased, padded 
the hoof to hunt up a neat and quiet place to board 
until I could find a vessel. I soon reached a comfort- 
able home at the house of Mr. Cook, a kind old gen- 
tleman, who was fond of a good dry joke and well 
spread table. My experience justified my first im- 
pressions. In the spring and fall I made my abid- 
ing place beneath his hospitable roof, and on leaving, 
was deeply thankful to him for his kindness and at- 
tention. 

The harbor was full of vessels, and the houses full 
of men. I conned the different craft, and at length 
pitched upon the Nason, a noble little fisherman, 
bound on her second trip. She was all that a seaman 
could ask for, and on her first trip to the Banks, was 
the object of admiration. The skipper was the best 
one that ever I sailed with ; kind, and a good pro- 
vider, always on hand, and never weary. I was soon 
shipped, and chest and bedding put away in my cabin 
berth. 

On the fifth of May we flung our canvas and colors 
to the breeze, and started in a friendly race with the 
" East Wind," " Ada Brooks," and two other vessels. 
We had entered on a thousand mile race, and some 
tall steering must be done. The weather was splendid, 
the wind on the beam, and away we spanked over the 
ocean. I was at the wheel nearly all night of the 



304 Seven Years of a Sailors Life. 

fourth day we had left port, and when I stepped from 
the wheel the "Ada Brooks" was hull down in our 
wake ; the other vessels had given up the race two 
days before, and then it lay all in our favor. At noon, 
when I came on deck, the " Brooks " was cutting the 
water like a knife, and passing us with colors flying ; 
all the dexterity that we could bring to bear, could 
not make us gain on her, and in less than an hour 
she had soundings on the southern part of Grand 
Bank. This was good sailing; five days from the 
Cape to the edge of the Bank. Our vessel kept on 
and ran nearly across the bank before we unbent the 
main sail, and set the trysail. 

Day after day we tried for fish, but obtained only 
enough for a chowder, and we at last concluded to, go 
North. Days and days we sailed, never knowing our 
exact position, but supposing ourselves on the most 
northern and eastern edge of the Bank. The weather 
was cold, rain and snow squalls were frequent, and 
icebergs were seen every clear day. I counted three 
one day, and eighteen the next. Some were very 
small, others towered high, and when the midday sun 
shone upon them they were too beautiful to look upon 
for any length of time. When the splendor of the 
setting sun was reflected back from their dark chasms 
and high peaks, in floods of rosy light, we were all 
deeply impressed with their transcendent beauty. At 
most times the icebergs looked cold, hard, and blue, 
but on a foggy day, on near approach they seemed like 
monstrous pale ghosts, beckoning us on to our doom. 

One night while underway, we had found large fish, 



Seven Years of a Sailors Life. 305 

yet dared not, late as it was, lay at anchor for fear of 
the masses of ice. It was a most uncomfortable night ; 
rain, thick fog, and glimmering icebergs, were on 
every hand. I held the wheel, amid the sound of 
rushing waters, straining spars, and shouts of men 
on every hand, and kept my eyes wide open. 

" Don't you see anything ? " I inquired of the Por- 
tuguese lookouts, who, with heads sheltered by their 
dripping Sou'-westers seemed to care for nothing so 
long as they kept the water from their necks. 

" No, not a thing," said the muffled head. 

" Here, John, take this wheel," said I, and ran for- 
ward to the bow. The men looked up, their eyes half 
shut, and with a growl settled themselves on the wind- 
lass end. I gave one look, quick and sure. Oh, hor- 
ror, a huge berg was close upon us. 

"Hard up, Hard up, for your life, John," I 
shouted. 

" Steady, don't jib her ; stand by your sheets," and 
the rushing vessel passed so near the iceberg that the 
spray fell on our faces. 

" Saved again ; my little cherub that sits up aloft, 
I thank thee," I exclaimed, as I wended my way to 
the wheel. 

" Pretty close shave, Ned," said the skipper to me, 
" and you will keep the wheel till morning ; and you, 
John, take the lookout." 

We passed the night in safety, but very uncomfort- 
ably, and came to anchor at daylight, found good fish, 
and when the mists rolled away we were alone, not 
even an iceberg being in sight. That night there 



306 Seven Years of a Sailors Life. 

were tough army, fish, and spirit yarns spun in the 
cabin. 

" I believe in spirits," said John, " an' my word I 
take on the Bible is good ; now listen," and he took 
the pipe from his mowth and began, — "I was going 
home from these 'ere banks in the old ' Mahaley,' — 
she was a curious old boat — an' we were twenty days 
going from below the Rainbow Podd until we got off 
Halifax. Well, do you see, one lovely moonshiny 
night we was walking along, winged out, when we all 
sees a brig pop out o' the water right on ahead o' us. 
I yells out for 'em to put the wheel down, when, Lord 
help me, if we didn't jibe our main boom, an' broke 
it off at the jaws, — mind, I 'm telling ye the solemn 
truth, — and we carried away our rigging an' main 
sheet. We all looked for the brig, but she had van- 
ished. We had all seen her. She. was a full-rigged 
brig, looked sort o' outlandish ; but we saw her, sure. 
Our broken spars bore evidence to our having met 
with something." 

The Captain laughed at the man's story, but the 
narrator did not smile. He took a few whiffs from 
his clay pipe to give him courage, and continued, 
— "I'm getting old, sir, but my conscience is, at all 
events, clear. One more little yarn ; you know I don't 
often waste time in talk, an' then I '11 turn in. I was 
coming home in a good, new brig, from the West In- 
dies, some ten years ago. The night was darker than 
a stack of black cats, when I was ordered out to take 
in the flying-jib. I laid out on the boom, and looked 
out to the end. My Lord, sir, what do you think I 



Seven Years of a Sailor's Life. 307 

see ? kill me dead if there want a great big fellow a- 
straddle o' the boom and holding on to nothing. I 
see his wet skin shine in the darkness, and there he 
sot ; the vessel plungin' an' tearin' over the rushing 
waves. How I got inboard I can't say ; but I got in 
and run for the mate. We got lanterns and clubs 
and went out on the boom, backed by the watch who 
came hurrying up. Lord, how the mate trembled as 
he looked at him by the glare of the lantern ; there 
he sot, staring at us. The mate held on with one 
hand to the guy, and struck the object with his heavy 
club, with all his might. The club flew from his 
hand, an' he took mine. He struck agin', and the 
club was shattered to bits on the boom, on which the 
strange being had sot, but he was gone. Put that 
down in your log of memory, sir, an' dream on it. 
Don't you believe my words ? By the big hook-block, 
I 'm in earnest ! " 

The men who were in the cabin listened with gap- 
ing mouths and open eyes ; I turned into my berth 
and said to John : " You are what the spiritualist 
people call ' a seeing medium.' You have a gift that 
few people possess in this world, and the men who 
were with you were seeing mediums, also ; the same 
as I saw the iceberg, that was a material thing ; a real 
thing of form and matter, but you have the power of 
seeing spirit objects." 

"Yes, and what I saw was real, ginuine. You 
can't make me believe in spooks, goblins and cape-fly- 
a-ways. I really saw as I 've told you." Having said 
this, he rolled himself in his thick bed clothes, and 
soon fell asleep. 



308 Seven Years of a Sailors Life. 

We found fish large but scarce, then stood to the 
westward, and soon saw a fleet of Frenchmen lying 
at anchor. Their large square riggers pick up im- 
mense quantities of codfish, and take the best from 
the bank. The old mother fish, full of spawn, are 
snaked on, to their miles of trawl line, and gathered in 
the morning. The next day we were near two large 
icebergs ; their height from the water was estimated 
to be five hundred feet. Every form of arch, tower, 
gothic church spires, battlements and gaping fissures 
were plainly seen, and it was two thousand feet in 
circumference. The smaller one of these icebergs 
drifted to the "Rocks," and grounded about three 
miles from the fleet. 

We found the fleet after much hunting, and I don't 
believe there ever was a skipper on the Banks who 
always knew just where his vessel lay. They know 
the bottom, whether it is rocky, sandy, " punkin an* 
lemon," " strawberry," " green corn," " red and 
green," or " copper bottom." Good fish are found 
on such bottoms, and the skipper lets his anchor go as 
soon as the fish are hooked. " Stick out cable," " Bile 
her up handsomely," " Put on the strad, and pillow," 
and " Heave over." " Here they gnaw ! heave out ; 
hook your tackles there and hist away." How quickly 
the sixteen dories and men left the vessel. Lively 
they dropped the oars, and hove the anchor. Fifty 
fathoms of anchor cord were paid out, a turn taken 
on the cleet, and the two lines were over the side, 
hurrying to the bottom, by the aid of three pounds of 
lead, which was allowed to touch, and then was hauled 
up five feet. 



Seven Years of a Sailor's Life. 309 

" Put on your nippers ; there is a snapping at the 
line." 

" The fish were well hooked." 
" Haul steady and stand back straight." 
" There he comes to your view. Pull away gently ; 
put your gaff into him hard. How he struggles. 
Tip your boat a little and slide him into your kid ; 
he is a logy. Here is another on this line, bait up 
quick and heave it over the side, yank and haul away." 
Such is life in a dory on the Grand Bank. It is what 
is to be done every day, from the first streak of light 
until darkness comes over the sea ; then, dress down 
and wash off. 

One of our men on a fine day went to the " Hay- 
cocks," and found fish in plenty, large and fat. We 
moved away from the fleet of vessels and came to 
anchor as near the spot as we could guess it to be. 
Need I say we had good fishing ? It was superb. 
We had all we could do, day and night, and the skip- 
pers in the fleet said, " that fellow aint laying off there 
for nothing," yet they kept away from us for three 
weeks, and then, down they came. The skippers raved 
and swore some, when our skipper shouted, " Nine 
hundred quintals in the hold," They could hardly 
believe their senses, as they stood on board our vessel 
looking at the high kenches of salted fish, nice and 
sweet in the hold. 

We had religious services aboard, every Sunday, 
and the men took a day of rest, while other vessels 
had their men out chasing capling, and fishing. One 
day I drifted under our vessel's bow, and her dolphin- 



olO Seven Years of a Sailors Life. 

striker coming down hard upon my boat, I was quick- 
ly sunk. I was encumbered with fishing garments, 
but on rising to the surface easily swam about till I 
grasped a rope that the cook threw out to me. I se- 
cured the rope to my body, and then went for my boat, 
which I saved, with all the bait. Several skippers 
who came to visit us one Sunday, were lost in the 
fog, when they attempted to return to their vessels, 
and were out all night. 

Soon we had eleven hundred quintals down, and the 
mm still catching fisk as fast as they could haul them 
in. A better crew were never in one vessel ; they 
were all well fed and worked well. Fishermen use 
a great quantity of tobacco, mostly in chewing. I 
always carried five pounds, as little as I used, ant, 
never had a chance to bring any home. The " Na- 
son " was the high-line boat, and many wished they 
belonged to her. It was our stealthy, lucky move, 
that put so many thousands of fish into our hold. On 
one clear day we saw the masts of fishermen that lay 
twelve miles from us; but such a condition of the 
atmosphere is seldom known on the B^nks. 

The science of fishing consists of quickness, strength 
and tact in all cases ; up early and down late ; rest 
^n Sundays and good food ; care of men, boats and 
equipage ; careful dressing and salting of fish ; keen 
eyes and steady hands in danger, and care and hu- 
manity to all iii the vessel. We did no unnecessary 
labor, never worked Sundays, and took hold Monday 
mornings with new zest. No wonder we were first 
chop in everything that pertained to a good and suc- 
cessful fishing. 



Seven Years of a Sailor's Life. 311 



CHAPTER XXXI. 

Working and Winning — The " Nason" Flying Home — Skippers 
on their Reckoning — The Cape in View — In Port — The Men 
Paid Off — Money as Free as Air — A Sad Warning to Rum 
Drinkers — Home from Sea — I Ship for a Southern Trip — 
Loosing the Frozen Canvas — A Tough Gale — Our Sails Blown 
to Ribbons — Intense Cold Weather — Twelve Days of Suffering 
and Danger — We Arrive off Charleston. 

kWW ^ continued our labors, but soon found the fish 
Am1> becoming scarce, and there being no prospect 
"**P^ of better luck, we went to the Main Ledge. 
Observing a square-headed trysail near the Brambles, 
I was not long in ascertaining it to be the " Marietta,'' 
and the next Sunday paid her a visit. Half of the 
men were off in dories, chasing capling, but with little 
success. The skipper was glad to see me, wished his 
old hands aboard, deplored his ill-luck, and declared 
that he was bound to get his fare, if he remained on 
the Banks until the snow flew. 

We toiled hard, and with so many vessels at work, 
the fish were soon thinned out. We then struck for 
the southern end of the Banks, reached it in three 
days, and were soon among the little fleet of vessels, 
that lay quiet during the day, and caught fish at 
night. This night fishing was queer work, and the 
men were inclined to rebel against it, and said, — 

" We '11 catch them in the day-time, but as for being 
out all night in a dory, it is too much for us." There- 



312 Seven Years of a Sailors Life. 

fore, we left the nighters, and ran to the eastward. 
There we found large fish, and when the tide was slack 
we had them, line and line. " Sixteen hundred quin- 
tals in the hold," was sounded ; then the men were 
anxious to return home. The well-filled kenches hore 
testimony of earnest work. They had fished long 
enough, and when they went out in the boats, they 
allowed the large fish to pull the lead all about the 
bottom, and came aboard with a few little ones. 

The tide ran with great velocity, taking the vessel 
against the hardest gale that could blow. The Cap- 
tain and sharesmen stormed and threatened, and the 
men laughed at the idea of making them catch fish. 
The last barrel of flour was nearly gone ; we had 
eaten twenty- two barrels of flour thus far, besides other 
stores. The wind came from the east and promised 
to blow a long gale, and vessels were flying before it, 
homeward bound. The men in the cabin consulted 
together all the afternoon, and at last the skipper said, 
" Get the anchor up, we will go home." 

Every man sprang to duty. The cheerful chanty 
was roared out, and heard above the howl of the gale. 
The cable held very hard, and when it surged over, 
the windlass sent the men flying about the deck, as 
if a galvanic battery had been applied to their hands. 
The vessel's head was often buried in the solid seas, 
and the men, soaked and sweating, yelled out hoarse- 
ly, " Paddy on the Railway," and a We 're Homeward 
Bound," while they tugged at the brakes, and wound 
the long, hard cable in, inch by inch. 

With a jerk and a jump the anchor parted its hold 



Seven Years of a Sailors Life. 313 

on the rough bottom, away we drifted to leeward, 
winding in cable and chain, and soon the shining 
anchor fluke appeared. " Up jib and foresail ; take 
the wheel, Ned, west half north, let her go ! " we had 
left our last berth in the Grand Banks, and were 
really going home. 

A full sheet, a flowing sail, and steady piping wind 
were in our favor. We bent the new sails and scud 
with a cracking breeze. Day and night we ran. 
Never did a sharp schooner cut her way to Yankee 
land faster than we did. The mountain waves curled 
and thundered on our quarter. The vessel went 
sometimes quarter of a mile on the long running 
seas. The tide was with us, and we flew at the rate 
of twelve miles an hour, for three days. Then we 
put more sail on, and as there was no fear of capsiz- 
ing, we fairly flew over the hills and valleys of water. 

At the end of the fourth day we made calcula- 
tions and observations as to our whereabouts. The 
Captain said, two hundred miles south-west of Sable 
Island. Others said, on the western banks, and all 
laughed at my idea, of walking the plank sidewalk 
of Provincetown, the next night. It had always been 
my custom to keep a log of the important winds, tides, 
courses and tacks, and now I knew from indications 
that appeared, that I was right. We were in perfect 
condition to enter port; this was Saturday night. 
Every time I had the wheel I edged the vessel to the 
North half a point, yet always gave the man that re- 
lieved me, the old course I had told to me. No one 
but myself knew of this deviation, but I was confident 



314 Seven Years of a Sailor's Life. 

that I was pointing the vessel straight for home. We 
entered a fog bank which we sailed through in three 
hours ; out from darkness into light, we looked back 
at the thick, solid bank of fog, and then ahead. The 
bright rays of a warm October sun, gleamed in the 
noonday. We spoke a brig at one o'clock and learned 
that she had left the shore that very mofning. The 
skipper and crew stared with astonishment, and ex- 
claimed, " I'm glad the " Nason " has out-run herself. 
Hurrah, we're most home. Ned, you rogue, you have 
waxed us all! " 

In less than an hour, " Land, Ho ! I see the sand 
hills of the Cape ! " said the man at the foremast head. 
Lovely weather and fair wind set the bunting and light 
sails, and soon we could see the town house on the 
hill. 

" Cook, bring up your last mince pies and let us 
finish them," said the skipper " we can't go below to 
take a bite." 

At sunset we were at anchor in the harbor, the 
men were ashore, and I was reading the latest news in 
my favorite boarding-house. 

Farewell, Grand Banks of Newfoundland, lucky 
am I to leave you forever, without a mark or scar on 
my person, and no dreaded rheumatism in my young 
bones. Farewell forever. May thy mountain surges 
sing soft, sweet requiems over the resting places of 
those whom storms, tempests, and wild mishaps have 
laid on thy shores ; and may thy waters yield a large 
dividend to all adventurous bankers who seek to draw 
forth their rich deposits. 



Seven Years of a Sailor's Life. 315 

We received our checks the next day, and on pre- 
senting them at the bank, they were quickly cashed. 
Some did not know the value of money, and could 
not tell a twenty dollar bill, from a five. The first 
thing the Irish wanted was rum, and the bloodsuck- 
ers that besiege a man as soon as he is paid off, soon 
supplied the desired article. One of the men threw 
his hard-earned wages in the air, and the tens and 
twenties new on the wings of the wind. He how- 
ever had them restored to him, minus a few. This 
is a specimen of many a sailor's recklessness when 
flush and full of liquor. 

I recollect McDonald, in the " Marietta." When 
he was sober and paid off, I placed his pile of green- 
backs in a safe place, and said, " John, there are one 
hundred and fifty dollars for you to keep snug ; here 
are thirty to spend in a reasonable way. Now, be a 
man for once, keep sober and respectable, and don't 
get drunk, like a hog." 

" So help me, I '11 keep sober an' go down to the 
Cape an' marry a widder ! " 

Could he resist temptation ? No ! He made his 
bed in the gutter that very night, was put in the jail 
for disturbing the peace ; and some rascal stole the 
money, and placed the empty pocket-book back in 
its place. He came to the vessel the next day with 
black eyes, swollen visage, and had only the benefit 
of a clean shave, and pair of new pants, for his sum- 
mer's work. He was a hard character, yet obeyed 
me like a child when sober or half drunk ; but when 
crazy drunk the devil was in him. A dirk-knife blade 



316 Seven Years of a Sailor } s*\Life. 

had been broken short off in his hip bone, ribs and 
finger bones had been broken in night rows. He conld 
walk on his toes, dance any kind of jig, or shuffle, 
ship and unship his hip bones, and jump bounties as 
well as any body. He fell from a wharf thirty-five 
feet in height, and his head narrowly grazed a large 
spar that lay near by. His head and shoulders were 
buried in the mud, and the nimble legs and feet were 
waving in the air, as we pulled him out, just in time 
to prevent suffocation. He was not hurt in the least, 
and asked for more rum as soon as his lips were cleared 
of mud. 

If such a case, and it is but one of many, will not 
serve as a warning to young seamen and others, to 
touch not, taste not, the accursed thing, then all warn- 
ings are useless. Strong drink is the fearful enemy 
of the sailor, and yet they will toss off the full glass, 
and exclaim, " Here goes another nail in my coffin ; 
drink my health till the day of my death." There is 
a mingling of tragedy and comedy in such a scene, 
and I have often been struck with a cold shudder, as I 
have looked upon the image of God thus polluted. 

I tarried in Provincetown until the steamer sailed. 
It was a most beautiful day ; the air was clear and 
dry ; a short, pleasant run brought us to the wharf 
at Boston. No one was sick this time ; every passen- 
ger enjoyed the trip to the utmost. I immediately 
posted off to the Quincy House, and was speedily 
rejuvenated by those excellent appliances which every 
well-regulated hotel has always at hand. I was then 
ready for home, and not long in reaching it. How 



Seven Years of a Sailor's Life. 317 

pleasant it is to come from sea, where the eye for four 
months has seen nothing but fish, vessels, fog, and 
water, and to step ashore and enjoy the fruits of 
the well cultivated land. People may talk of the 
splendid fruits of the tropics, but the productions of 
the temperate zone far exceed them. 

I started away from home to make a last visit to 
numerous friends, intending after that to seek my for- 
tune in the Southern States, and establish myself in 
business. I soon found a brig bound to the port of 
Mobile, and engaged a berth as second mate, expect- 
ing to sail on Christmas morning. The day came, 
an awful stormy one, and the brig was to haul into 
the stream with all hands aboard, stay there until the 
weather cleared off fine, and then sail. I told the 
Captain I should not come on any such terms, " lay 
out there, fussing about, on the last Christmas day I 
might ever spend a,t home or within hundreds of 
miles of Boston," and in spite of all threats, threw my 
luggage on the wharf and soon had it snug in the 
" Home." The " Open Sea " sailed that day, and as I 
read of her departure, I only wished her good luck. 

I then shipped before the mast on board the Avon- 
dale, a staunch craft that rode out the terrible gale 
in the Gulf Stream, when the " Central America " 
foundered. It was a pleasant day when we hauled 
out from Long wharf, and loosed our frozen canvas to 
the wind ; but the weather, towards sunset, began to 
be bitter cold. As I overhauled the fore-royal clew- 
line, I looked back on the snow-covered land, and 
rocky coast. I could tell the exact locality of my 



318 Seven Years of a Sailor's Life, 

little home, where cheerful fires were burning, and 
the family were reading or busy in preparing their 
evening meal. The sun had settled behind the dreary, 
gray clouds, and the wind that blew through our thick 
garments, sent its chilly breath into our very bones. 
Our cargo consisted of soap, furniture, wooden ware, 
buck shot, whiskey and ale, and as the cargo was light 
the vessel was half out of water " flying light," as 
seamen say. At midnight we began to take in sail, 
and reef her down ; then began the hardest gale and 
the coldest weather known on the coast for a number 
of years, continuing from the third to the tenth of 
January, and although we were running before the 
wind, we were soon covered with white ice. 

It might be supposed that such an experience would 
cause us to look impatiently for a warmer climate, 
and with joy we hailed the warm water of the stream. 
There, the cold air drawing the heat from the water, 
produced a thick, brown mist, that covered the ocean. 
The gale shifted to south-east, and back again to north- 
west, raising a terrible sea. Ten times we were blown 
across the Gulf stream, and our canvas, excepting the 
upper light sails, was blown to ribbons. We put the 
wheel amidships and scud along under bare poles, 
seventy-four hours. A sea stove to toothpicks our 
only boat, and filled the cabin witli its tons of water. 
The red hot stoves were upset twice, and between 
fire and water we were well baptized. Every man 
expected to meet death before daylight. Our vessel 
was carried on the top of the mountain waves, like a 
chip, and then plunged into the hollow of the sea. 



Seven Years of a Sailor's Life. 319 

There was no laughing, joking, or work done ; we 
were powerless in the toils of the terrible sea, hoping 
for the best. On we scudded ; a single turn of the 
wheel would have sent us into eternity. We had suf- 
fered for twelve days ; our hands were frozen white, 
yet we were not alone in our misery. At length the 
gale abated, the long mountain waves calmed down, 
and with our spars and rigging a mass of knots and 
broken wood, we lay hove-to off Charleston, our first 
port of entry. 



320 Seven Years of a Sailor's Life. 



CHAPTER XXXII. 

Passing Fort Sumter — Genuine Ethiopian Minstrels — Cape Ann 
Boys Near By — Charleston after the War — Off Again — At 
Georgetown — Loading Heavy Above and Below — A Bushel 
in a Peck Measure — A Thought of Danger Ahead — Warnings 
— The Risk Accepted — At Sea — The Pumps going Day and 
Night — We Arrive near Boston — Approach of a Gale — The 
Midnight Alarm — The Canvas Covered with Ice, and Flying 
Loose — Driven to Sea Again — Desperate Condition — Pumps 
Clogged with Tar — Seven Feet of Water in the Hold — All 
Hope of Saving the Vessel Despaired of. 

$M|)UR storm-tossed vessel glided up the muddy 
l^SN^ harbor, under three small sails, passing slowly 
}fif%> and safely the sunken stone fleet, the long 
sandy beaches, and near to Sumter, then a heap of 
rubbish and ruins on the sea-face side. My log-book 
that I have always kept and preserved, says " On the 
13th of January, 1866, arrived off Charleston. We 
are all charmed with the beauty of nature ; it seems 
as though we had stepped from a watery, yawning 
grave into heaven. We are in company with a 
barque from London, England. I am at the wheel. 
The pilot waves his hand, close to Sumter, and we 
pass up the shoal harbor, keeping in the ship channel, 
past the guard ship, steamers, monitors, batteries, and 
many vessels, and anchor off Keer's wharf. Our 
frozen feet and hands will soon recover, then we will 
discharge cargo." 



Seven Years of a Sailor's Life, 321 

Yes, we were safe and had made a good run to our 
destined port. The gale disabled and lost one hun- 
dred and thirty vessels. Some were forty days from 
New York to Charleston, coming in nearly wrecked 
or disabled. Six steamers were used up, and the coast 
lined with wrecks, made by this, the most fearful gale 
of the season. 

We were soon discharging our cargo, and the half 
clad, dirty negroes were jumping at the prospect of 
earning a few dollars. They had rolls of confederate 
script, and gave hundred dollar bills for the leavings 
of the cook's galley or cabin table. 

" Dis 'federit scrip aint no count, Massa ; 'aint wurt 
my spit. I seed old Sherman 'way up to Columbia. 
Oh, did n't de rotten shot (shell) fly den. My old 
massa no make dis chile hoe any more." 

Such was their usual talk, accompanied by broad 
grins and elevated shoulders, as they walked about in 
their rags. The sailors went every night to the street 
where hundreds and hundreds of the poor negroes 
were supported on Government rations, and congre- 
gated beneath large roofed sheds. The free negroes 
were in ecstacies over their newly-found freedom, and 
the best performances of the Christys, and Morris 
Brothers sank into insignificance, when compared 
with the droll actions and singing of the ragged 
crowd before me. I fairly screamed with laughter. 

While the dancing and singing were in progress, 
groups of men, mostly seamen, stood about, all highly 
entertained, and when fine looking black women danc- 
ing round, passed them, they would slip pieces of to- 



322 Seven Years of a Sailor's Life. 

bacco into their hands, pat them on their backs, and 
cheer them with such expressions as, — 

" Go in there, Sal." 

" Hoe her down, Molly." 

" Go in, aunty ; I '11 bet on you." 

" Don't wriggle so hard, old gal." 

" Now you are putting." 

The men sung louder and faster. The women wrig- 
gled and danced, contorting their bodies in every 
shape. The power they exerted was as great as they 
would have put forth, had they been called to duty in 
the field. 

I left the dusky crowd, still dancing and shuffling, 
the refrains of their weird, and sometimes sweet and 
plaintive songs floating on the midnight air over the 
calm water, and retired to my bunk. 

A northern fishing vessel with a cargo of oranges 
and cigars, lay near our bows, with a company of 
Cape Ann boys on her deck. They shared their fruit 
and tobacco with us, and we had a good social time to- 
gether. I hold in grateful remembrance the young 
men who then sailed in the " Grapeshot." She went 
north, and I was sorry when we parted company. 

I wandered outside of the city of Charleston. The 
houses of the wealthy were well built, and had charm- 
ing surroundings. The shrubbery and flowers were 
beautiful. The Palmetto tree waved its dark foliage 
in the warm air, children played with the colored ser- 
vants, or rolled in the thick green grass, and where 
it was clipped they played with dogs and parrots. 
The Orphan Asylum was the prettiest and most sub- 



Seven Years of a Sailor's Life, 323 

stantial building that met my view. The business 
streets were dull of trade, and I saw not more than 
forty young American men in the city. The race- 
course was converted into a cemetery, and nearly 
every woman was clad in mourning — a sad evidence 
of the deplorable results of the war. 

We sailed for Georgetown, with a clear sky and fair 
wind, and the next night entered the Peedee river. 
By good luck and a fresh breeze we came at anchor, 
below the Palmetto Mills. The course of the vessel 
from Charleston Bar to Georgetown Bar, was N. N. E. 
one half North, and up the crooked Peedee, we went in 
all points. We hailed with joy the plenty of fresh 
river water that flowed by our side, and we washed 
our bodies and clothing in the soft water. I would 
rather have a good bath in fresh water than a dinner, 
and for a beverage I have always adhered to pure 
water. I have drank water from the ship's casks 
when it held together like treacle, and at other times 
when I was obliged to hold my nostrils with one hand 
and pour it down with the other ; have been on half 
allowance, endured tormenting thirst, and had no 
water at all. Well I know its value. The "Siah" 
and two other vessels, were loading at the Mills. We 
furled the sail and went to the post-office, somewhat 
expecting letters from home, but were disappointed. 
Pitch pine is the lumber that is most cut, sawed and 
shipped at this point, some of the large sticks con- 
taining seven hundred feet of lumber. Tar, rosin and 
turpentine are stored at places ready to ship, and con- 
stitute the principal business of Georgetown. 



324 Seven Years of a Sailor's Life. 

We hauled in to the wharf and commenced loading, 
the Captain hurrying the work forward with all pos- 
sible haste. The lumber was stored away below in 
tiers, the negro stevedores laboring hard with bar, 
tackle, and handspike to put each log snugly in its 
proper place. Then it was piled on deck until our 
load was a few feet higher than the rail of the vessel. 
We told the Captain that he was overloading, but 
our opinions were thought of no value, and he gave 
us our choice, to go ashore, or go to Boston in the 
brig. One of our men quickly went to another ves- 
sel, but the remainder did not want it said that they 
were mean enough to leave the vessel after she was 
loaded. Board was four dollars a day at the public 
house ; and to be knocking around among everybody 
was something I cared not to do. Taking all these 
things into consideration, we consented to accompany 
the vessel to Boston, notwithstanding we thought the 
trip a risky one. After this, judge of our astonish- 
ment in beholding two large scows loaded with barrels 
of tar and rosin come to our side, which in two days 
was stowed in the breaks, where the lumber could not 
pack. Two hundred and thirty barrels were taken 
aboard, and this last act of the Captain settled the al- 
ready over-loaded vessel too deep in the water. It 
seemed like an attempt to crowd a bushel into a peck 
measure. How the latter would stand such treat- 
ment remained to be seen. 

The bow ports were miserably caulked, the water 
trickled in fast, and " keep the pumps agoing," was 
the order. In vain I asked for my wages and dis- 



Seven Years of a Sailor's Life. 325 

charge. The Captain had no money just then, and 
he argued that if the brig rode out one heavy gale, 
with eight feet of logwood on her deck, she could go 
to Boston with the load she had ; she could not sink, 
and why should I be alarmed for her safety when he 
was not. The mate told the Captain his sails were 
poor, that he had not provision enough, and was over- 
loaded. But in spite of all warning he hurried the 
vessel into the stream. I resolved to ship in one of 
the other vessels, and lose my wages, but they were 
full of men, and I would only have jumped from 
the frying pan into the fire, for the brig that I 
wished to go in, was lost with all hands, on a reef in 
the West Indies ; the schooner was dismasted, and 
the barque narrowly escaped foundering at sea. 

By some lucky slant, we might reach Boston har- 
bor in safety ; but there were but ghosts of chances in 
our favor. I received a letter from home, and quick- 
ly answered it, feeling very despondent. We sailed 
as soon as we had filled the water casks, and for five 
days were working and beating about the river trying 
to get to the mouth. On the twenty-first of February 
we cleared the bar, the pilot took his leave and we 
sailed out into the open sea. We slept in the deck- 
house and ate in the cabin. Two of the crew were 
down sick with fever and ague, and the mates were 
growling and fighting most of the time. We encoun- 
tered a storm, but had to reef only once before it passed 
away. The men recovered and took their turns at 
the pump. I was the only one who had any medi- 
cine, or materials with which to dress the men's 
wounds when they were cut or bruised. 



326 Seven Years of a Sailor's Life. 

My experience leads me to say, at this point, most 
emphatically, that law should make it the imperative 
duty of some one to thoroughly inspect every vessel 
before it leaves port ; to see that it is well provided 
with everything that may possibly be required for the 
safety of the vessel and crew. A neglect of such pro- 
vision should be met with heavy penalty upon the 
master or owners. 

We kept company with the ship " Golden Fleece," 
two days, had good weather, and at last crossed the 
Gulf. The tide rip was plainly seen, and we came 
from rough into smooth water. On we went, pumps 
going night and day, and the vessel making a north 
east course as usual, until the sandy shores of Long 
Island lay before us, and we were running up the 
land with every sail set, and a warm southwest wind. 
I could see the windows of the houses ashore, re- 
flecting the splendor of the setting sun, and as I 
looked at the rugged masses of clouds gathering 
in the northern sky, tinged with fiery red, I told the 
Captain that we were about to have a terrible gale ; 
that he had better seek the land for a shelter, the 
provisions and water being nearly exhausted. The 
men before the mast told him the same, and made 
him feel uneasy. The mates were full of fun when 
they saw the land so near, and said " We '11 be lying 
at the wharf in Boston to-morrow," and enjoyed, pros- 
pectively, a glorious time. 

There were many vessels about us, most of them 
bound off the coast, and for that reason all right, 
whether it blew high or low. At eight o'clock, we, 



Seven Years of a Sailor's Life. 327 

in the mates' watch, went to our bunks and laid down 
to sleep. The night was dark and calm, and the brig 
lay about two miles from land with every sail set, just 
having steerage way over the water. Despite the 
rattle and bang of the pumps we fell asleep, and had 
got in a nice, warm doze, when we heard the Captain 
shout, — 

" Turn but, men, turn out for God's sake ; don't 
stop a second for your lives ! " 

We slid the door back and almost fell down in 
utter fear at our view of the danger. The vessel was 
rushing straight out to sea under the fury of a terrific 
gale. Decks and rigging were sheathed with ice, and 
we were repeatedly thrown down on the slippery lum- 
ber. We clewed up the torn canvas, and ran up the 
icy shrouds in our night garments. I was not cold 
at all ; the horror of our situation drove all thoughts 
of cold from me, and I laid out on the icy tossing 
yards and done my best to furl the split and frozen 
sails. Having done all I could, I returned rapidly to 
the deck, and dressed myself, as did the other men, 
and then remarked to the Captain that he had better 
run for New York and save his vessel. 

The gale was exactly from the north ; the weather 
bitter cold, and the light on Montauk Point gleamed 
like a ball of fire, north north-east from us, six miles 
astern, we could make a harbor either in the lee of 
Long Island, or the Breakwater, but the Captain paid 
no attention to our warning. 

Under close-reefed topsail we flew before the gale, 
the Captain was fearful of striking the shoals, but we 



328 Seven Years of a Sailors Life. 

were miles away from shoal water. Oh, the terror of 
that night, — the seas washing clean over the hull, 
the sails blown to tatters, the pumps choked with tar 
from the broken barrels, and all the heavy lumber on 
deck working loose and tearing the vessel to pieces. 
Thus passed this terrible night, and daylight came in 
due season to show us clearly the horrors of our situ- 
ation. 

We were alone on the storm-lashed ocean, and 
worked to secure the vessel, until the sweat rolled 
from our faces like rain. What a contrast this scene 
presented, to the calm weather we had enjoyed the day 
before. Now we were in a glorious gale. Had not 
the weather this time played us a scurvy trick, almost 
in sight of home, to turn upon us, and send our deep 
loaded vessel out into the open sea with canvas torn 
and the pumps throwing water most of the time ? 
Three days and nights we pumped for life, stopping 
every twenty minutes to clear the boxes from the stick- 
ing tar, and at length the alarming fact was spread 
that there were seven feet of water in the hold. 

All hope of saving the vessel was at an end. I took 
an observation slyly, and set it down that we were two 
hundred and ten miles south-east of Block Island. 
My log book and pencils were next to my under-gar- 
ments, and the former is here before me now as I 
write. It has been with me many trips ; and, batter- 
ed, old and defaced as it looks, tells its own strange 
story. 

On the sixth of March we cut away the mainmast, 
and tried to throw off the deck load. The mate ran 



Seven Years of a Sailor's Life. 329 

up and down the deck and cried, " God help us ! now 
we are surely lost ! " and great tears rolled down his 
cheeks. We saw a large ship running before the gale 
not four miles from us ; we set the colors on the fore- 
mast, union down, but she paid no attention to us. A 
schooner also that lay hove to, in sight, never offered 
to come near. As I looked at the flag that snapped 
and cracked on the pole at the foremast head, I 
dashed a tear from my eye, for I now fully realized 
the danger we were in. I grew calmer as the men 
grew more wild and despairing, and felt that I must 
do all that I could. 



330 Seven Years of a Sailor's Life. 



CHAPTER XXXIII. 

The Vessel Breaking Up — We Take to the Boat — Engulfed by 
Heavy Seas — Presence of Mind — The Floating Lumber — Light- 
ening the Boat — The Return to the Wreck — The Boat finally 
Lost — Ten Feet of Deck our only Hope — Eight Days and 
Nights of Terrible Suffering — A Despairing Crew — Our Foot- 
hold Giving Way — Praying Men — Provisions Exhausted — We 
are Crazed for Want of Food— A Fearful Thought — The Glad 
Cry of " Sail, Ho " — The Men wild with Joy — We are Rescued 
by the " Peerless " and " Winter Bird " — Saved. 

a UT what were we to do, to escape from this 
total wreck ? We had forty-four small cakes 
of bread, eight gallons of water, and twenty 
pounds of raw salt beef. The officers and men were 
on the same grade, and all began to anticipate the 
horrors that were in store for them. The brig was 
covered by every sea that came thundering down upon 
her. She was under the water forward, and the only 
place of safety was near the wheel. Four feet of water 
was on the cabin floor, and still we lay broadside to 
the howling gale and overpowering seas. 

The cargo was washing out from the bursted deck ; 
lumber and barrels of tar were drifting away ; the 
lower rigging of the foremast was fast breaking, and 
the heavy timber was being thrown around the ves- 
sel like straw. I told the Captain we must take the 
old rotten boat that we had procured in George- 
town, place our little stock of provision and water 
therein, and lay under the lee of the brig, that was 




Seven Years of a Sailor's Life. 331 

likely to break to pieces, at any moment. He took my 
advice, and the boat was placed where she could be 
launched at a moment's warning, with the provisions 
lashed safely on. 

The mate walked the little place by the wheel, 
wringing his hands, and crying, " Oh, my mother, my 
mother, your boy is lost, I '11 never see the old home 
again ! " The cook prayed with great fervor. The 
second mate who had left a young wife at home was 
exclaiming, " Oh, my dear wife, we '11 meet in a better 
world where no storms can come. Oh, I would give 
all my wealth to be safe on shore." 

" You '11 be kind enough, to stop that kind of talk, 
the pair of you ! " I exclaimed. " Recollect who 
caulked the bow-ports in such a hurry when we were 
in port. Don't be alarmed, my lads." 

I talked with the Captain. He was calm and care- 
less ; and then , while the men were getting the boat 
into the water, I threw some ropes over the stern, and 
lashed the wheel hard down, next lighted the binna- 
cle lamp, which would burn for a long time, and 
when the terrified mates in the boat cried out, " Jump 
Ned ; she 's rolling over, you '11 be left behind if you 
don't come quick," I ran and threw myself into the 
boat, which was filled to the gunwale with bags of 
clothing and the hundred and one useless articles 
that a man in his hurry might pick up. 

The water came into the frail boat every moment. 
" Throw over every useless thing that is in this boat," 
I cried, " save your watches, charts, provisions, and 
water, and dump everything else." 



332 Seven Years of a Sailor s Life. 

This was done, and the boat rode lighter on the 
seas. " Now ship your oars, and pull away from these 
sticks of timber ; if they strike the boat we are all 
lost, sure." In doing this we cleared the wreck, and 
the dangerous network of lumber. 

" Ned, you take charge of this boat," said the Cap- 
tain. " You are cool, and not so weak with fear as 
those fellows." 

I did as I was directed, and the men pulled hard at 
the oars. The old rotten boat flew on the tops of 
the waves, two men bailing water all the time. We 
ran for an hour to the south and west, and then horrid 
darkness spread its black hand over the sea. The 
dark waves rolled in solid masses of water, and broke 
in white foam above and around us. We were wet 
through, cold and hungry, and were going away from 
our only breakwater, the wreck. 

" I am going back to the wreck, sir," said I. 

" Go ahead," was the only response ; and by a lucky 
movement, I put the boat, head to the wind and sea 
without capsizing. 

But how to find the wreck again, was the question, 
amid the thick darkness of the night. Twining a flag 
around me to keep the bitter cold wind from freezing 
me to death, I grasped an oar with one hand, and 
shielding my eyes with the other, sought to discover 
the drifting hull, at the same time watching with 
sharp eyes the dreaded sticks of timber and tar bar- 
rels that came down on the old boat. The long tim- 
bers, when they came near us broadside on, broke the 
force of the waves, and the weary men could rest for 
a few moments. 



Seven Years of a Sailor's Life. 333 

Horn' after hour in dread anxiety we pulled slowly 
to windward. Every eye was seeking the hull of the 
vessel, but as I stood up I was the first to see the light 
that I had left burning in the binnacle. I hoped and 
prayed that it was a light in the cabin of some vessel 
hove to, and riding out the gale, but it was our own 
light, and we soon reached the wreck, and were pull- 
ing about to keep us from being chilled to death. 

We pulled under her lee for two days and nights, 
dodging the timber, and debris of the. wreck that 
floated out. My navy ditty box that contained more 
than four hundred photographs of my home friends 
and acquaintances, together with papers, pistol, and 
little trinkets, was swept by me on a rushing wave. 
The box was well locked, and water tight. I suppose 
some crew that have found it would like to know just 
where that article came from, and to whom it belongs. 
They will see the directions on the inside. Our al- 
lowance, twice a day, was one cake of bread and half 
a pint of water, — small rations for a set of hungry 
men, who had always had all that they could eat. 

The gale abated ; it was time. We had drifted 
into the Gulf Stream, and the flying mists were often 
taken for vessels under sail. All our hopes were de- 
lusive, and we were out of the track of all vessels. 
" Hope on, Hope ever, lads ; " I cried, " you aint 
dead yet ; don't knuckle to anything so easy. Cheer 
up, and you will walk Yankee land again." Thus I 
tried to raise their downcast spirits, and nerve them 
to exertion. But my efforts were of little avail ; every 
man seemed determined to look on the worst side. 



334 Seven Years of a Sailors Life. 

The Captain grasped a rope and hauled the boat to 
the brig's stern, and then clambered on board. The 
glorious sun broke through the driving mists, and shed 
its genial warmth upon our wet and numbed bodies. 
The only articles of use to us that we could find on 
the wreck, were the royal sail and its gear, a hatchet, 
and the flag that was still flying from the foremast 
head. The air under the quarter deck had raised the 
stern a little out of water, and we could lay down on 
the top of the house in safety. We left the old boat 
tied by a rope to the quarter, and were overjoyed once 
more to stretch our cramped and sore limbs on ten 
feet of walk. The moment the last man was lifted 
from the boat, she was stove by striking a stick of 
timber. I jumped into her and saved the provision 
and water ; and, as I sprang to the friendly rope, the 
boat filled with water, split its whole length, and of 
course was of no further use to us. 

The wreck was then our only chance, and we must 
stick by it. Perhaps we might be seen by some pas- 
sing vessel and taken off before we all perished with 
exposure and hunger. The mates and men were 
despondent. They laid down on the water-washed 
deck and lamented their hard fate. With great effort 
the Captain and myself set the foresail, and, poor as 
the scant sail was, it kept the wreck before the wind. 
He then asked me to rig braces to the yard, and after 
much danger and labor it was done. I stood in the 
shaky fore-top, threw the braces to him, which they 
made secure to the main-bitts aft ; then I went to 
the mast head, and cleared the colors so that they 



Seven Years of a Sailors Life. 335 

would fly full, and safely rejoined my shipmates, who, 
ashamed at being outdone by the smallest man on 
board, were all anxious to steer. This was of little 
use, as the rudder was mostly out of water, yet whirl- 
ing the wheel gave them exercise, and kept their cold, 
water-soaked bodies warm. 

Three men laid down to die ; they said they were 
only prolonging their acute sufferings to live, and the 
sooner death came, the more we who survived would 
have to eat. At three o'clock in the afternoon the 
whole deck was a shattered mass, raised and broken. 
Oh, what a wail of agony arose from the lips of the 
men as they saw the vessel break to pieces. It was 
horrible to look upon. Of three iron girders that held 
the sides together, but one remained, and when that 
one iron bar broke, we must say farewell to each other 
for this life. In spite of washing wave and cracking 
wood I jumped from one broken beam to another and 
looked at the iron bar. Even when I was up to my 
breast in water, which was warm, I saw that the iron 
would stand a hard strain, for it was bent by the up- 
rising lumber. With this assurance I returned to 
the men, who were all moving their lips in prayer, 
except one fellow, who was making a slip-knot, and 
at the same time trembling with terror. 

" What are you going to do with that slip-knot," I 
asked. " Oh, I am making a necklace to put on 
when I see that bar break ! " 

" Well, it is not going to break," said I. 

" Oh ! thank God, there is some hope yet," cried 
the mate. The cook came to me and said, " I never 



336 Seven Years of a Sailor's Life. 

hear you praying, Ned. Why don't you ask God to 
take us from this horrid place ? Oh, Ned, I pray all 
the time." 

"Is there any- need of crying aloud for mercy ? " I 
inquired. " The Father's hand that has kept me safe 
thus far, will sustain me to the end. Prayer in 
thought goes as far with God, as word of mouth, and 
I am at his pleasure here as much as if I was safe at 
home. It will all be well with us, keep up your 
courage." 

The remaining biscuits were shared equally. I had 
three ; and the hard, dirty little one that I have now 
in my possession, tells its own story. I put them next 
to my heart, covered by my flannel shirt. When these 
rations were gone, we must eat one another, and the 
question would come to me, will my turn come first ? 

In the dreary desert of Africa I had been in the 
same fix, and now, with nothing but a plank between 
myself and eternity, I was having a second dose. 
Serves me right, thought I, for leaving a good home, 
and kind friends ; but here I am and must live or die. 
The power that overrules all nature, could take us from 
our misery ; but it was a careless trick that placed us 
here. Our provision was exhausted, we were mad- 
dened for the want of food and drink, yet I clutched 
my last mouthful and kept it safe. 

It was Saturday night and the sea was as calm as a 
mirror. There was no hope for us from any quarter, 
yet we slept soundly as we laid in a heap to keep 
warm, and dreamed of home and luxuries. Sunday 
morning came clear and bright, with a light wind 



Seven Years of a Sailors Life. 337 

and calm sea. I clambered up to the fore-topmast 
head and watched the horizon, hour after hour, while 
the flag of my country kept the sun from my eyes ; 
but I looked and looked in vain. I came down, and 
to the eager questions that fell on my ear I could 
only shake my head. At noon the Captain ascended 
the lofty perch and cleared the flag. He took a long 
look around the horizon, and in slow, joyous tones 
shouted, 

" Sail ho ! sail ho ! Ha, ha, we 're saved ! Cheer 
up, boys ; there are three vessels coming this way." 

The wild, delirious joy that the men exhibited was 
past description. " Where ? where ? point her out, 
for God's sake, Captain." " Do they see us yet ? Do 
you think we will be saved ? Great God, I thank 
thee. Hurrah for life yet. I'll go to any part of the 
world in the vessel that picks us off, even if she is a 
pirate," were the exclamations that greeted my ears. 

I was not too sudden with my joy. What if the 
vessels should pass and not come near us, thinking 
that no persons were on that old wreck ? But our 
colors were seen, and we soon saw a large brig com- 
ing, and to windward was a schooner, winged out and 
flying like a dove to us ; while far astern was a barque 
steering east, and before we were taken from the wreck 
two more vessels hove in sight. My log-book says : 
" Sunday night. The brig ' Peerless ' and schooner 
' Winter Bird ' came to us and took us from the wreck. 
As the healthy, able men sprang to our deck they 
said : ' Hullo, boys ! ye aint all dead yet. Good God, 
if this aint the worst looking wreck we ever saw.' " 



338 Seven Years of a Sailor's Life. 

They lifted the men over the quarter and carried 
part to the brig and others to the schooner. The 
Captain, cook, and second mate went to the " Winter 
Bird," and four, including myself, to the Peerless, 
that lay with her sails aback, about a mile to leeward. 
These vessels that had rescued us had been driven 
from their regular course by the same gale that had 
made us a wreck. The brig " Peerless " was loaded 
with lumber, from Portland, Maine, and bound for a 
West India market. Its large, strong boat, propelled 
by able arms, soon placed us aboard of the brig, where 
we found a bountiful supper spread before us. But I 
ate only a little, not daring to let my appetite mas- 
ter me, and took my food slowly, moistening it well 
with hot tea. The three men ate like ravenous wolves, 
and paid no heed to any warnings ; the consequence 
was, they were very sick, but were relieved by a 
strong dose of brandy. 

We slept soundly that night, and the next morning 
could eat a few biscuits soaked in coffee. This brig 
seemed commissioned by an overruling Power to res- 
cue the unfortunate, when all hope seemed dead ; for 
during the voyage before this one, it had picked a crew 
from a vessel's bottom, where they had been for five 
days. Far nobler are these acts of mercy in saving 
human life, than the grandeur of the crowned and ap- 
plauded conqueror who has slain thousands of men. 
The consciousness of doing good is a constant joy. 

The master of every vessel should keep a man on 
the lookout, carefully examine every old spar and 
wreck that meets his eye, and hold by any vessel that 



Seven Years of a Sailor's Life. 339 

may have the signal of distress flying. When sea 
captains pay more attention to these things ; when 
they are less pompous, more obliging and considerate 
of the wants, comforts, and actual necessities of their 
crews, there will be a far less number of wrecks, and 
losses of life and property. There are many glorious 
exceptions, many captains who are men ; yet there 
are many others whose places are more properly in 
potatoe fields, with hoes in their hands, than on ship- 
board, with the lives of men at their mercy. May 
God speed the day of reformation ! 



340 Seven Years of a Sailor's Life, 



CHAPTER XXXIY: 

A Last Look at the " Avondale " — Another Stiff Breeze — Safe and 
Snug on Board the " Peerless " — Extreme Suffering resulting from 
our Exposure on the Wreck — At Porto Rico — A Hard Pull — 
Cuba — The Harbor of St. Jago — Interview with the American 
Consul — Queer Treatment — I am to Return in the " Dan 
Holmes " — Making Myself Generally Useful — Sugar Loading — 
A New Song for Every Hogshead — The Promenade-. 

E glided away from the wreck before a gentle 
($JML wind, and I took a last look at our vessel 
^p^2^. with a shudder, that made me thank Divine 
Providence for his great mercy in sending us aid at 
the last moment. I could only see the stern of the 
old brig and the fore top above water. I turned 
away from the sight of the floating coffin, and joyously 
realized that I walked a good deck of English plank, 
which thought was soon interrupted by the Captain, 
who spoke to me from the cabin door. 

Captain Perry was a kind man, and an efficient 
officer, keeping good lookouts on his deck, and his 
vessel lightly loaded. 

" Don't you want some medicine, young man ? " 
he asked, as I walked up to him. 

" No, sir ; I do not feel the need of any," I replied. 

" But you will in a day or two. If my memory is 
correct, the other crew that we saved suffered a great 
deal after we took them off." 



Seven Years of a Sailor's Life, 341 

I had no unpleasant feelings besides weakness, and 
kindly refused his offer. 

During the third night after our rescue a gale be- 
gan to blow, that must have demolished the old wreck. 
The " Peerless " ran before it under close reefs, and 
in two days' time rested on long rolling seas, with 
everything safe and snug. On the fifteenth of March, 
1866, we were twenty miles north east of Bermuda 
Islands, and our course south-by-west, as usual. 

We now began to suffer excruciating pain. Our 
bodies appeared like parboiled meat ; our feet were 
swollen and blistered, and the only style of locomo- 
tion we possessed was crawling on our hands and 
knees. Our long exposure on the wreck had brought 
these conditions, and the only relief that our inflamed 
feet could obtain was bathing in tar-water. They 
swelled to a large size, and the skin seemed as if it 
would burst with the puffed-up flesh. We were all 
four of us in this condition, and the crew did their 
best to make us comfortable. Their good deeds are 
fresh in my memory ; may their life's pathway be 
strewn with roses, and no thorns impede their pro- 
gress to happiness and prosperity. 

We had fair wind night and day, and carried every 
sail the vessel could spread, yet our speed was slow. 
The " Peerless " had been built to carry a good load, 
and not to sail fast. All English vessels are about like 
her for speed, seldom going over nine knots, unless 
it blows a gale. So we rolled on our way, every day 
growing warmer. After three weeks of pain and an- 
guish we could step a little, and at the end of the 



342 Seven Years of a Sailor's Life. 

fourth week could walk quite well. " Land Ho ! " 
came in glad tones, from the mast-head, one after- 
noon, as one of the crew scraped down the upper 
spars, preparatory to slushing ; and the Captain, after 
taking a long look at the blue, looming land, pro- 
nounced it the island of Porto Rico ; and " check in 
the port braces ; sway all up taut," was an order that 
every man gladly obeyed. 

On we sailed over the rippling sea, the young 
moon showing its slender crescent in the western sky, 
while the crew rolled on the deck house, and chatted 
pleasantly. They gave us pipes and tobacco, and 
thus we enjoyed a social smoke, while they spun their 
yarns until the bell called the watch to their duties. 
The next morning we were off Maguyes harbor, and 
the brig was hove to, off the high land ; the boat was 
cleared away and lowered, and six of us, seated at 
the oars, pulled the Captain to the wharf. 

How beautiful the lofty hills appeared, clad in the 
verdure of the tropics. The shore was lined with 
trees ; and the sugar-mills, with their red roofs, 
peeped from luxuriant groves of cocoa, acacia, and 
bannana, the short chimney sending out its black 
smoke quite offensively to our sense of smell. The 
broad leaves of the trees waved in the hot air, the 
dartgreen foliage contrasting strangely, with the 
white sand of the beach, and the water in the harbor, 
which was of a dirty yellow color. There being no 
wharves for vessels to unload at, the cargoes are taken 
in and out by the aid of lighters. The lumber is 
floated to the shore, and gathered up by the negroes 
who dash into the water after it. 



Seven Years of a Sailor's Life. 343 

We were not allowed to land, but a brown, old 
Spaniard looked at the Captain's letter, and offered 
eighteen dollars a thousand for the lumber. This was 
not enough, so the Captain ordered us to pull off to 
the brig. The sea breeze had now set in, and it was 
a hard job for us to undertake. The brig had 
stood off from the harbor, and was but a speck in the 
distance. I thought we should never reach the offing, 
the wind blew so hard. The groves of trees began to 
blend into a long line of green, and we rowed twenty 
miles, before we reached the vessel. It was the hardest 
pull that ever came to my lot in a ship's boat. We 
reached her at length, and after the boat was hoisted 
in, we made sail. for Cuba. 

Porto Rico, a " port of riches," is a seaport of an 
island of the same name. It abounds in high moun- 
tains and fertile valleys. Vegetation is luxuriant, and 
there is a good supply of pure water. It produces 
rum, sugar, ginger, molasses ; and many fruits, such 
as the fig, bannana, pine apple, cocoanut, guava, 
citron, lemon, orange, tamarind, also sweet potatoes, 
tomatoes, sweet and sour sap, grandallid, star apple, 
mango, cashew, paw-paw, sweet limes, and spices can 
be well cultivated, besides the yam, plantain, shad- 
dock and cabbage tree. But I had rather have a good 
apple or Bartlett pear, than any of the tropical fruits. 
The people are thinly clad in white, the slaves wear- 
ing cloth to cover their nakedness, and no more. The 
island has an abundance of poultry, swine, monkeys, 
birds of fine plumage, flies, snakes, lizards, and mos- 
quitoes ; and the climate is generally healthy, but like 



344 Seven Years of a Sailor's Life, 

all other tropical islands, is subject to shocks of earth- 
quakes, and hurricanes. 

We had lovely weather, and fair wind, the course 
was north-west, and I relieved the wheel when the 
men complained of the heat. The " Peerless " steered 
easy but had too much gear for the large iron wheel. 
They next set me to making sword mats. Few men 
can take this job and finish it, and I was glad to have 
my mind employed. I worked when I felt so inclined, 
and when the vessel was steady, drew pictures of the 
old wreck, each of the crew having one at least. The 
mate had four sketches for himself. Down past San 
Domingo we sailed ; the high, blue land towering in 
the sunny sky, and the white vapors hovering over 
the mountains. 

A few vessels bound the same way that we were, 
outsailed us. " We don't sail very fast, sir ; " said I 
to the Captain, " we ought to beat those old barques." 

" Oh, well," he answered, " we don't sail fast, but 
we sail strong. I aint in a hurry. My chance to sell 
will be good enough three weeks to come ; you will 
see Cuba to-morrow." 

The thirtieth of March was clear and hot. W T e were 
off the eastern end of the island of Cuba, and being 
wafted along by the light, steady wind. The land 
appeared high and barren, and the soil of a dark yel- 
low color. Cuba is the largest and most productive 
of the West India islands, it is seven hundred miles 
long, and eighty-nine miles in breadth. At the east 
end it begins in 20° 20', North latitude, and extends 
from 74° to 85°, 15° West longitude. The soil is not 



Seven Years of a Sailor's Life. 345 

so fertile as Domingo, or Porto Rico. There are 
mines in the mountains, but the working of them is 
in the hands of the Spanish government, and not much 
enterprise is displayed in developing their resources. 
The land produces in abundance, tropical fruits, 
sugar cane, ginger, cinnamon, tobacco, and grapes. 
The hills run through the island from east to north- 
west, and there is generally a vapor hanging over 
their tops, that often descends in rain squalls. Cuba 
must come out from the hands of Spain and be 
fully Yankeeized. It will then become the richest 
island in the Western world. The Cubans have no 
real, go-ahead enterprise. The whites never perform 
any labor, but leave it to the slaves and coolies who 
do it all. 

We entered the harbor of St. Jago, and passing the 
ancient walls of the fort, sailed up a beautiful inlet, 
the land on either hand being covered with trees and 
flowers. The fort that overlooks the harbor's mouth, 
is the oldest one in Cuba. I never found a person who 
could tell when it was built. It occupies a position 
similar to that of the Moro Castle at Havana, but is 
smaller and very much older. Solid rock rises from 
the water ninety feet in height, and the old sentry 
boxes and loop-holed battlements are very quaint and 
fantastic. Looking back we espied a smart, trim- 
looking schooner coming by the frowning forts. The 
American flag was flying from her gaff, and she walked 
right by us like a steamer. I very much liked her 
appearance and style, and made up my mind to visit 
the buxom little craft when in port. 



346 Seven Years of a Sailor's Life, 

The harbor we were in was the prettiest I had ever 
entered. Far beyond we looked on fertile valleys, 
groves of trees peculiar to the climate, and hills from 
the tops of which flags were telegraphing our coming. 
The port was full of vessels, and on our right hand 
was the town of St. Jago de Cuba, with its blue and 
yellow houses, white and red public buildings, and 
tall Cathedral. We anchored among ships that dis- 
played the flags of the powerful nations. Every 
Spanish vessel and boat was dressed with the na- 
tional flag, which consisted of two stripes of red and 
one of yellow. We were soon visited by gentlemen 
from shore who questioned us for the purpose of ob- 
taining an account of our wreck, and then a boat 
was speedily prepared to take us to town. 

Many vessels were loading with sugar, for St. Jago 
ships a great quantity during the winter months. Our 
party of four and the Captain soon reached the shore, 
and were surrounded by negroes, clad in gala cos- 
tume, that being a week of festivity in memory of 
some departed saint. Sounds of music and fandango 
parties were on every side. Past sugar houses, and 
stagnant pools of water, we went, up the narrow, 
dirty street, to the Hotel. There we found the 
American Consul's office. The person who acted as 
Consul appeared and received us very shabbily. He 
was an old, white-haired man, nervous and fretful, 
and clad in a dressing gown, with his pen in his 
mouth. We told our story of the wreck and rescue, 
which he noted down. The Captain of the " Peer- 
less" made his statement, which was also recorded. 



Seven Years of a Sailor's Life. 347 

The Captain then remarked that his charge of the ship- 
wrecked men ceased, and that it was the Consul's duty 
as the representative of the United States Govern- 
ment, to inquire into our wants and to supply us with 
means of support until we could return home. At 
this the Consul endeavored to induce the Captain to 
keep us on board the " Peerless," offering him seventy- 
five cents a day for each of us, adding that if that 
was not sufficient, we would probably work enough to 
make up the deficiency. Our men did not like this. 
After all they had suffered they thought themselves 
entitled to better treatment, especially as their coun- 
try had made provision for them to that end. 

The acting Consul wheeled his chair about, and, 
addressing me, said ; 

" Well, young man, what do you want ? " 

" I want a place to lay my head while I am on your 
hands ; food and clothing, shoes and bedding, and a 
chance to be sent to the States." 

" Oh, ho ; you want too much. Ever served in the 
war ? Ever been married ? Are you a Yankee-born 
man ? " 

" Now, sir," said I, " I will answer all clearly. I 
have served my country. I am not married. I am a 
Massachusetts boy, born in Salem." 

" What, what ! " he exclaimed ; " do you know any 
Salem folks and the merchants there ? " and he 
named over many familiar names. 

" Yes, sir, I do," said I; " and now we understand 
each other better, I must have what is my right. Our 
Government makes by law a provision for us, and I 
must have all it grants." 



348 Seven Years of a Sailor's Life. 

A.t this moment the Captain of the smart schooner 
entered with his manifest and other papers, and the 
Consul told him he must take me. After much talk, 
terms were agreed upon, and I was to go home in the 
" Dan Holmes." This suited me well. I then re- 
ceived a dead seaman's blankets and clothes bag, a 
rough pair of shoes, and a shirt. I asked for no 
more, feeling ashamed of the Consul's surly conduct 
towards me. I paid three dollars and one half, in 
gold, for a pair of heavy shoes, and followed the Cap- 
tain to his vessel. 

She was all my fancy desired, and I went to work 
and rigged a " burton fall " in ten minutes after I 
was aboard. The Captain stared in astonishment at 
my work, and in a few moments I was called to din- 
ner in the handsome cabin. The Captain, address- 
ing me, said : " I am pleased to see you take hold of 
work, and eat like a man ; it is well you should know 
that you are a passenger, I suppose. Go to the mate 
if you want anything, and keep straight in all 
things." 

" You are mistaken, sir," said I, "if you think 
that I came here to lay idle on your hands. You never 
will have cause for regret, on my account. I am at 
home in these boats, and shall work as hard and faith- 
fully as any man aboard. I am at your service, sir." 

He was satisfied, and so was I. The mate was from 
Cape Cod, and took an interest in me. 

" I did not think you would turn to, so soon ; " he 
said. 

" Why, do you think I can't work ? I am ready for 



Seven Years of a Sailors Life. 349 

a good time, or for hard work. I am on a Yankee 
boat now, and will make myself as one of the crew." 

He laughed, and when the sugar began to roll in, 
the crew found I was at the head of the rope, and a 
" chanty man." We rolled the sugar upon the stages, 
over the bows, and at every hogshead I gave them a 
different song. We worked hard all day, and gen- 
erally had time at night to go ashore. The men 
made me their chum straightway, and I wanted for 
nothing that the others had. 

We went to the Promenade every fine night ; walk- 
ed among gentlemen and ladies, senoritas and naval 
officers, Creoles and pale northern women, all talking, 
walking, and listening to the strains of charming mu- 
sic that came from the full reed and brass band. It 
was pleasure for one and all. 



350 Seven Years of a Sailor's Life. 



CHAPTER XXXV. 

Festival Time — A Wealthy Creole — Daily Sights in St. Jago — 
Hospitality — A Spanish Bull Fight — Our Cargo all Aboard — 
Outward Bound — The "Dan Holmes" under Full Sail — A 
Swift Passage and a Sure One — Off Jersey City — In Port — 
Once More at Home — A Farewell to Sea Life — Yankee Ned's 
Last Words to His Shipmates. 



t \W N St. Jago, the slaves were merry. Music and 
dancing were on every street night and day. 

^pHc- The festivities lasted a week. Fires burned 
at night in the squares, and everybody was gay. I was 
twenty-three days in Cuba, and did not see a native 
intoxicated, though liquors of all kinds were cheap 
and plenty. Good wine was fourteen cents a bottle, 
in silver, and cigars a penny apiece. 

The shipper of our load of sugar was a wealthy 
Creole, owning lands, ships, cattle, and slaves. One 
of his vessels, the " La Creole," was a splendid ves- 
sel of the old style, and at every point clean and 
handsome. Although this Creole was immensely 
wealthy, he dressed very plain, and often came in his 
volante, to the head of the wharf. His carriage had 
silver steps, hubs, and bands. The postillion and 
horses fairly glittered with gold and silver. The vo- 
lante is the only carriage a true Cuban cares to ride 
in. They are taken better care of than a piano. I 
have seen them placed in parlors, and covered with 
rich silk. 



Seven Years of a Sailor's Life. 351 

The crew of the " Dan Holmes " were all young 
men from New Jersey. They treated me well, and 
proved true friends. The Captain and mates found 
me first and foremost in duty, and liked me all the 
better for it. The cigars, fruit, and wine were 
equally shared at the table, and respect to all was a 
characteristic of the men. 

Boys staggered up the stage, with heavily loaded 
baskets on their heads. The freshly plucked fruit they 
offered was ripe and wholesome, but there was no 
satisfaction in eating a half dozen oranges ; the juice 
was only the part we desired, and the bannanas were 
too clogging. No vessels touched the wharf, the an- 
chors and chain astern kept them in position. 

There were some vessels quite fanciful in their style. 
They were new and clean, with wire rigging and 
plenty of metalic work to be kept clean. Awnings 
were spread, flags were flying, and the air was close 
and hot until the sea-breeze came in at noon. Sugar, 
molasses, tobacco, wines, tiles, shooks and hoops ; lum- 
ber, garlic, hay, hides, machinery and groceries, were 
piled promiscuously on the wharf. Men-of-war and 
merchant boats coming and going ; slaves busy pul- 
ling ; canvas flapping in the wind ; telegraph flags 
flying from the station ; crowds of hard looking cool- 
ies ; chain-gangs with clanking fetters, dragging their 
carts; mules, donkeys, and negroes, were the every 
day sights we beheld. 

Among the shipping the two tall masts of the " Dan 
Holmes " towered above all others, and she could 
carry sail on them till all was blue. Nearly every 



352 Seven Years of a Sailor's Life. 

American vessel was manned by foreigners. The 
number of Yankee seamen in the merchant service is 
not above two for every large craft that leaves the 
States. Almost every nationality is represented in 
these vessels, and when a full American crew is found 
they are appreciated. 

I wandered away one pleasant night alone, and 
traversed the close, narrow streets, until I was lost in 
the depths of the town. If I was not on the wharf 
before ten o'clock, I should be arrested, and placed 
under key till morning. I knocked at a heavy door, 
and a fine-looking girl appeared. Of her I inquired 
my way. She called her father, who pleasantly ac- 
costed me, and there immediately followed a conver- 
sation in which his broken English and my broken 
Spanish must have proved quite amusing to a person 
familiar with both languages. 

The result was, I was cordially invited to enter. The 
grillet cakes were spread before me ; bottles of wine 
and fresh tomatoes were laid on the little table ; the 
girl and father carried on a chat in broken English, 
and my attempt at the Spanish tongue was laughable 
to all of us. The father and daughter blew clouds 
of smoke through their noses, and gave me a number 
of fine cigars. The time passed pleasantly, and when 
I left, the old gentleman accompanied me to the 
wharf. 

The market was well supplied with vegetables, fruit, 
meat, and fish. It was built twenty feet higher than 
the street, so that a free ventilation of pure air might 
keep the stock in good order. A large, splendid 



Seven Years of a Sailors Life. 353 

cathedral stood at the head of the park, and priests in 
canoe-shaped hats were passing in and out. 

We bought good and well-made cigars cheap, a 
hundred for a dollar. In every store in which we 
made a purchase, cigars were presented to us. In one 
store we sung army songs all the evening, and no one 
molested us. All the men had money and friends. 
The Cubans whom we met admired everything Amer- 
ican, and hoped soon to throw off the Spanish yoke 
and come under the rule of Uncle Sam. The city 
has gas works, steam cars, aqueducts, hotels, and 
billiard halls. Most of the houses are two stories in 
height, though many are three or four. There was 
a low, rumbling noise one day, and the people ran 
out into the streets in terror, fearing an earthquake ; 
but every house stood firm on its foundation. 

One lovely Sabbath we saw crowds of gaily-dressed 
people, slaves, priests, captains and sailors, hurrying 
in one direction. Horsemen and footmen, hand- 
somely decked with gold and silver lace, and volantes 
with fair ladies, were driving through the crowd. 
Having some loose change with me, I followed the 
people and paid my seventy-five cents admission fee 
at the entrance into which they were flocking. 

I found myself in a large room or enclosure. High 
tiers of seats ran around the circular pit, and flags 
and banners were streaming from the sides and roof. 
Bands of music poured forth their strains. Thou- 
sands of fans and hats were waving to and fro. I 
was about to see a real Spanish bull-fight. At length 
it began, and I sat with the immense throng for the 



354 Seven Years of a Sailors Life. 

space of three hours, amid the shouts of spectators, 
and the roarings of the maddened bulls. 

At length it was over — the bloody scene was end- 
ed ; four bulls were killed, and one horse gored to 
death. The nimble " matador " finished the stagger- 
ing, bleeding bulls by a thrust of his heavy and sharp 
sword in the spine. As fast as one bull was disposed 
of another took his place, and the same scene of ir- 
ritating, fighting, and despatching, was enacted again. 

The vessel was loaded deep with hogsheads and 
barrels of sugar, and we gave our berth to the " Peer- 
less " and " Old Dominion," then hauled out in the 
stream and set up the rigging. The cool sea-breeze 
came to our heated bodies and burning heads. We 
cleared the decks and made everything snug. It 
was a beautiful sunset, and after supper we laid on 
the forecastle, smoking fine cigars, and enjoying the 
land breeze, which had begun to blow. At night it 
rained heavily, but at the dawn of day the clouds 
broke away. We ran the bunting to the topmast 
heads, soon had the pilot aboard, and at noon once 
more passed the ancient fort. We were on our home- 
ward trip, and had a vessel in our charge that was 
able to sail the world around, deep loaded or light. 

The fifteenth and sixteenth of April found us 
beating up for Cape Maize, but it was four days be- 
fore we could give her sheet and slip away through 
the eastern channel of Cuba. That night there was 
a heavy dew. The seventeenth of April we stood off 
Cape Maize before a strong east wind. Our course 
laid that day north-east and north, and we hugged 



Seven Years of a Sailor's Life. 355 

the wind like a yacht. At midnight on the eight- 
eenth we were clear of land. The light on the Cape 
was settling fast away. At daylight we made West 
Crooked Island, and were slipping over the water 
like a hound just loosed from the keeper's hand. 
We made Fortune Islands at noon, ran by long, 
black reefs of rocks, about which churned water and 
fleecy foam were abundant. We hove -to off Fortune 
Islands and bought a number of queen conch-shells, 
fine and large. 

Away we went, dancing through the intricate chan- 
nels and reef-passages, and at dark shot out into 
the wide Atlantic. We had a good, fair wind and 
lovely weather, and at length had to reduce sail. 
The wind was too full, and the seas ran so high, and 
the vessel steered so wild we were obliged to heave 
to, fearing that the vessel might trip or be swept by a 
sea. 

She lay like a duck on the water, and in two days 
the gale abated. During the blow we saw a schooner, 
beating up against the wind, under three reefed sails* 
The huge waves dashed the little craft on end at every 
sea, but she righted and tried it again. We watched 
the daring little vessel and found that she kept on her 
keel, and was " master of the situation." 

The wind came to the westward on the twentieth 
of April, and away we went, making good time to the 
north and east. We soon came to the Gulf Stream. 
The western gale began to blow. 

" Put her to it, my lads," said the Captain ; " we'll 
make good time for the Jersey coast. Let the men 



356 Seven Years of a Sailor's Life. 

fix her up a bit ; we want to look decent going into 
port." 

We crossed the Gulf once more. I did not say, 
" Good bye, old gulf," this time. Well did I re- 
member the last time I crossed the swift-running 
belt of water. As I laid my hand on the spokes of 
the iron wheel, I turned my head to the south, and 
took a long look at the dark, steaming water. The 
light mist waved and floated in the cool air, and I 
imagined I saw a hand-shaped cloud, that waved me 
to the northward. I have a dread of crossing it again, 
and hope I never shall. 

On we went, skipping and slipping over the shining 
sea. There was no order cried out, " Station for 
stays," or " Main top-sail haul," as T had once heard. 

May the First, we made the Highlands of Neversink, 
right on our starboard bow ; hauled the vessel on the 
wind, and passed the Narrows at sunset. We came 
to anchor off Jersey City at dusk, and then I felt 
thankful for my safe arrival, and rejoiced that I was 
once more among home scenes. 

The next day we took a tug-boat, and were towed 
to Brooklyn. There were dozens of sugar-loaded 
vessels, and our jaunty schooner soon had her berth 
assigned her. The Captain gave me money ; the 
crew likewise, the latter having been paid off. I 
could not go to my New York friends with my sad 
tale of shipwreck, though they would have helped me 
to anything I asked, so I resolved to go home, and 
start up the ladder of prosperity again. 

The wreck had stripped me of my wages and all my 



Seven Years of a Sailors Life. 357 

chattels. I must begin again, and once more strug- 
gle for success. My parents had always said : " Ned, 
you are going against our wishes and counsels ; don't 
go to sea. But if you go, and come home sick, 
wounded, or shipwrecked, we will do all in our power 
for your relief." 

I had been seven voyages, and made two unlucky 
ones, I dreaded another, so it was advisable for me to 
recruit at home, and then turn my mind to business 
ashore. 

I left the crew of the schooner with reluctance. I 
had been a stranger and they had taken me in, poor, 
naked almost, and hungry, and they had proved good 
and fast friends. Farewell, " Dan Holmes," Captain 
and crew ; may peace and prosperity be your constant 
companions through life. 

While on the ferry boat, I met two rogues in sea- 
man's clothes ; they tried every art of a depraved man 
to lead me off with them ; even tried to take my little 
bag of clothing and shells, and offered me drugged 
cigars, and money. I told a policeman to keep his eyes 
on them, and they muttered between their clenched 
teeth, He is too shrewd ; but he is just paid off, we 
will dog him, and have him yet." I dodged the ruf- 
fians, by exchanging horse cars at the corner of West 
Street, and saw no more of them, and was soon speed- 
ing up the harbor and through Hell-gate on the 
steamer " City of Newport." Here I met Hartley, 
Willey, Smith, and Cash, four old chums on the gun- 
boat, and spent the night in smoking, and talking 
over old times. They had just been discharged, happy 



358 Seven Years of a Sailor's Life. 

enough, from the navy, having re-enlisted since I left 
them in Provincetown. 

I arrived at Boston in good season. Kind hearts 
and willing hands soon supplied me with good ap- 
parel, and I was shortly on my way, once more, to 
my home, my parents, and my friends. Many were 
the exclamations of surprise that greeted my arrival. 

As Yankee Ned, the sailor, I here close my log-book, 
and bid farewell to the past. I have a new mission 
to fulfil. New life, new hopes inspire me ; new joys are 
before me. Home, friends, peace and duty, all hail ! 

Roll on, Temperance Cause ; roll on, wheels of 
Humanity and Freedom ! Shine on, Star of Faith 
and Progress, until the sailors of these mighty and 
glorious States shall be united as a band of loving 
brothers, working for each other's good. 

May new ideas, new aspirations, animate them to 
nobleness of character. 

A tear to the memory of the loved and the lost, and 
a hope of a better life for them all. 



An Album Pbotogiuph of " Yankee Ned," the author of this hook, in sailor's 
costume, has been produced by one of our best artists. Price, 25 cents. Address 
the Publishers,. Adams & Co, 25 Bronifield St., Boston. 



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